The Genuine Shepherd

Many throughout Israel's history have claimed to be the Messiah-- the deliverer, the one sent by God to liberate His people. But they have been proven to be frauds, fakes, imposters. Jesus also made claims that He was the Messiah. He claimed to be the source of living water, the bread of life, the light of the world. And his most outrageous claim was that He is GOD-- I AM, the covenant-making, covenant keeping God of the Old Testament. In spite of all his claims, the Jewish leaders misread and misunderstood Jesus, believing Him to be a false teacher. Certainly not the Messiah. So, Jesus, in John 10 lays out another big claim: He is the GREAT Shepherd, the chief shepherd of Israel. But how do we know He is legitimate, genuine, and not an imposter. Three telltale signs: First, Jesus enters by means of the door in the sheepfold of Israel. He comes through the door of fulfilled prophesies. Secondly, the doorkeeper recognizes Him and opens the door. John the Baptist, the doorkeeper, introduces Jesus to the nation. Thirdly, His sheep hear His voice and follow Him.