JOHN 10:11–21
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep”
(John 10:11).
When Jesus says that He is the “good shepherd,” the emphasis is on the adjective. The basic meaning of this word is beautiful, referring to one with a beautiful character. In this context, it also means excellent, referring to one’s work. Therefore, Christ is portrayed as a beautiful and excellent shepherd, thus answering to the ideal both in His work and His character.
But what makes Jesus’ work so excellent? He explains in the following verse: that an excellent shepherd such as He lays down His life for the sheep. So important is this point that He repeats it again in verse 15. Notice that He does not lay down His life for just anybody. His sacrifice is limited to the sheep. And who are the sheep? The chosen ones of God. The Jews would have understood this point because the metaphor of sheep throughout Scripture is only used in reference to God’s people. The only difference here is that Jesus broadens the scope of God’s electing love by including the Gentiles. Christ’s sacrifice is for Jews and Gentiles, not every Jew or every Gentile, but for those God has chosen out of every tribe and nation.
Hendriksen writes, “The design of the atonement is definitely restricted. Jesus dies for those who had been given to Him by the Father, for the children of God, for true believers. This is the teaching of the Fourth Gospel (3:16; 6:37, 39, 40, 44, 65; 17:6, 9, 20, 21, 24). It is also the doctrine of the rest of Scripture. With His precious blood Christ purchased His church (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25–27); His people (Matt. 1:21); the elect (Rom. 8:32–35).” Christ died for all the world, but not for every person in the world.
The doctrine of the limited (but effective) nature of Christ’s sacrifice is rejected by a great portion of the church today. But Christ is clear. He died only for the sheep. Not one drop of His precious blood is wasted on the willful rejection of any person. All whom He has died for will be saved. His Father has given Him a certain number of sheep, and all of them will be brought into the fold. And unless you believe in universalism, which the Scriptures clearly oppose, you are left with a restricted atonement—a doctrine that glorifies our sovereign and gracious Lord.
CORAM DEO
Nehemiah 1–3
Acts 2:1–13
Read all the passages in today’s study. How do these support a particular atonement? How is the security of your salvation based on this doctrine? If Christ died for everyone, what problems does that create for those who believe God is perfect? Praise Christ today for saving every single person that He died for.
For further study: John 17:6–26 • Rom. 5:8–10; 8:32 • Gal. 2:20 • Rev. 1:4–6
tuesday
june