The Other Sheep
For Meditation
Despite his ministry being focused on the house of Israel, in our text this week Jesus signals that there are others who need to be called and gathered in. Other sheep that do not belong to this fold. Most bible scholars think that Jesus’ calling attention to "Other Sheep" was a reference to the Gentiles (non-Jews). The other sheep, whoever they are, do not yet know the Good Shepherd. So what is needed? A way so the “others” can listen to his voice.
How does Jesus bring them also?
Does he employ helpers or “under-shepherds” to do some of the reaching out to other sheep? Does the Holy Spirit empower “witnesses” to help these others see and hear Jesus (Acts 1:6-8)? Could it be that the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) is in view here as part of the solution? “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations…”
Notice the glorious conclusion in verse 16. There will be one enlarged flock following the one good shepherd. One flock but many pens. Doesn’t it remind you of that radiant picture in Revelation 7:9–10?
“After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”
John 10:11-16
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.