“The Love of the Good Shepherd”

John 10:1-10, {1} “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. {2} The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. {3} 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. {4} When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. {5} But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” {6} Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. {7} Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. {8} All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. {9} I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. {10} The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.