Jesus Says ‘I Am’

1. The Good Shepherd (John 10:11-16)

In the land where Jesus lived, shepherds had a tough and often dangerous life. They had to find pasture for their sheep and running water for them to drink, and sometimes, they risked their lives to protect the flock from wild animals or rescue a sheep that had fallen into danger. The great king David had once been a shepherd, and his experience of God’s care for him had inspired him to sing, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

However, not all shepherds were as caring as David. Many of the leaders of Israel, like the false shepherds of the nation, had neglected and mistreated the people, failing to lead them with love and care. Jesus, knowing the importance of a true shepherd, told His listeners, “I am the good shepherd.” He went on to explain that a good shepherd is willing to lay down his life for the sheep. Unlike a hired hand who abandons the flock at the first sign of danger, the true shepherd stays and protects his sheep with love.

Jesus was revealing that He, as the good shepherd, would give His life for the sake of His sheep. “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me,” He said. Jesus went on to explain that He had come not just for the people of Israel but for all people. “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

This image of Jesus as the good shepherd emphasizes His deep care for His followers, His willingness to sacrifice for them, and His ultimate role as the Savior who gathers all people into His loving fold.

2. The Real Vine (John 15:1-8)

In the Old Testament, Israel was often compared to a vine. God had planted a vine in the Promised Land, but, as the prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah pointed out, it had failed to bear the fruit of righteousness. Instead of obedience to God, the nation bore wild, sour grapes, representing self-will and disobedience.

Jesus, in contrast, declared to His disciples, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” He explained that God’s people are like branches connected to the vine, and if they are to bear good fruit, they must remain firmly attached to Him. “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.”

Jesus emphasized that those who love Him and obey His commands will remain in His love, just as a branch remains connected to the vine. He promised that when His followers stay close to Him, they will draw strength and life from Him, just as a branch draws nourishment from the vine. The fruit that comes from staying connected to Jesus includes virtues like patience, kindness, humility, and self-control—qualities that are only possible with His help.

Jesus’ teaching here shows that, unlike Israel’s failure to remain true to God, He is the perfect vine, and through Him, His followers can bear the fruit of righteousness. By remaining in Jesus, His life and power flow into His followers, enabling them to live in obedience and produce good works that glorify God.

These teachings of Jesus reveal His deep care for His followers and His role as the source of spiritual life. As the Good Shepherd, He protects, guides, and sacrifices for His flock, and as the True Vine, He provides the nourishment and strength necessary to bear fruit in obedience to God. In both images, Jesus calls His followers to remain in Him, trusting in His love and power to transform their lives.