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The image of God as the Good Shepherd was a significant part of the worship of Israel, and so it was natural that the image of Jesus would also be one of the most enduring images. To understand what Jesus is saying in this tenth chapter of the Gospel of John, we need to understand three elements about the practice of shepherds, gates and sheepfolds in the ancient near east and the more specific Jewish understanding.
- The sheepfold in each town or village
- The protection offered by a shepherd in more remote areas
- The significance of the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem
Play MP3
Recorded at St Paul’s, 8am (8’12”)
Easter, Sunday 4, Year A. John 10:1-10