Occupying the OFFICE of (good) SHEPHERD John 10:11 (Episode #235)

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD so says Jesus.  There is a lot to this claim.

There is a lot of good shepherding warm and fuzzies which of course we should not overlook.  He speaks, He knows us, He provides for us, He plans pasture, He gives us protection, etc. etc. etc.  There is nothing wrong with any of that.  In fact, we should spend a great deal of time here recalling these attributes and His being with us.  That is a full cup of goodness right there.

But today I understand the OFFENSE of the gospel a bit deeper.  This concept of shepherd and it being a characteristic and even a NAME of God did not start here in 32AD.  This was a BIG DEAL before then.  Today, we will go back 500 years to Ezekiel 34 and to see a wonderful job description of "GOOD SHEPHERD".  There, God's character is well-described. 

Here is the offense:  Jesus basically says in John 10:11 that I AM THAT GUY.  I AM that SHEPHERD.  You have been waiting for Me.  Ezekiel describes an OFFICE of Chief Shepherd.  I am the "David to come" that is in those prophesies. I am God.  Yup, I am the Guy of the warm fuzzies of shepherding.  But I am also claiming and occupying the reigning, powerful,and   eternal OFFICE of SHEPHERD.  Chief Shepherd.  Great Shepherd.  God Himself. Wow.

Listen, and see why they wanted to kill Him.