I Am the Good Shepherd: John 10:1-18

Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees who had just expelled the healed blind man. His imagery cut deep—they claimed to be shepherds of Israel, but how did they enter?

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

By name. Not numbered, not herded, not driven. Called individually, known personally. The shepherd knows each sheep.