John 10:1-21, Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd of His sheep, as well as the gate to the sheep pen. The sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out of the pen. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. A believer knows Christ, because the Holy Spirit has revealed Him to him.
But they will never follow a stranger. In fact, they will run away from a stranger because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice. A believer has the discernment to recognize false prophets.
In verse 9, Jesus says, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
In verse 11, He says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Verse 14: “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Verse 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.” This refers to the church, made of both Jew and Gentile believers.
Verse 17: “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” Christ willingly lay down his life for his sheep, and He was resurrected–conquering death for us.