o walk in the
light
is a common metaphor within Christian culture.
It is often taken to mean
“acting correctly” or even “living openly.”
Biblically, however, the phrase has the idea of
relinquishing sin
by
following Jesus.
The only Old Testament occurrence of this precise
phrase is in Isaiah 2:5,
“
O house of Jacob, come and let us
walk in the
light of the Lord.”
The Psalms contain similar phrases (56:13; 89:15),
as does Isaiah (9:2; 50:10-11; 59:9).
In the New Testament,
walking in the light
is directly related to following Jesus, who said, “
I am the light
of the
world. He who follows me
shall not walk in darkness,
but have the
light of life”
(John 8:12).
While this verse does not directly say,
“Walk in the light, i.e., Jesus,”
it does pointedly warn of doing the opposite; therefore,
Those who follow Jesus
are
“walking in the light.”
To “walk” is, in short, to live one’s life.
One’s lifestyle or way of life
can be considered a “walk.”
The word also indicates progress.
Walking is related to growth; it is taking steps toward maturity
.Light
in the Bible can be a metaphor
for life,
happiness, righteousness, or
understanding.
The Bible is clear that
light comes from the Lord God,
the
Father of the heavenly lights
(James 1:17).
He is the opposite of evil. Putting it all together, “walking in the light” means “growing in holiness and maturing in the faith as we follow Jesus.”
The apostle John repeatedly used
the “light”
metaphor in relation to the Messiah.
For example, he writes that
Jesus is “
the true light
that gives light to every man”
(John 1:9).
In 1 John 1:7 he says, “If we walk in the light as He [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” In verse 5, John says that God’s very nature is light. Jesus, then, is the conduit or provider of light to the world.
Our Christian duty is to live in the light God gives: “
Now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”
(Ephesians 5:8).
When we walk in the light, we cannot walk
in darkness.
Sin is left in the shadows as
we let our light “shine before men”
(Matthew 5:16).
It is God’s plan
for us to become more like Christ
(1 Thessalonians 4:3).
“Walking in the light”
means we consider Jesus as
the light
in this world, and we “walk” in
that light
by following His precepts,
living in His power, and growing in His grace.
I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11) is the
fourth of seven
I Am
declarations of Jesus recorded only in
John’s Gospel
These “I am” proclamations
point to
His unique, divine identity and
purpose.
Immediately after declaring that
He is “the door”
in John 10:7, Jesus declares “I am the good shepherd.”
He describes Himself as not only “the shepherd” but the “good shepherd.”
What does this mean?
It should be understood that Jesus is “the” good shepherd, not simply “a” good shepherd, as others may be, but He is unique in character (Psalm 23; Zechariah 13:7; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 1 Peter 5:4). The Greek word kalos, translated “good,” describes that which is noble, wholesome, good, and beautiful, in contrast to that which is wicked, mean, foul, and unlovely. It signifies not only that which is good inwardly—character—but also that which is attractive outwardly. It is an innate goodness. Therefore, in using the phrase
the good shepherd,
Jesus is referencing His inherent goodness,
His righteousness, and His beauty.
As shepherd of the sheep,
He is the one who
protects, guides, and nurtures
His flock.
As He did in declaring that He is
The door of the Sheep
in John 10:7,
Jesus is making a
contrast between Himself
and the
religious leaders, the Pharisees
(John 10:12–13).
He compares them to
a “hireling” or “hired hand”
who doesn’t really care about the sheep.
In John 10:9,
Jesus speaks of thieves and robbers who sought
to enter the sheepfold stealthily.
In that passage the Jewish leaders
(Pharisees)
are contrasted with Christ,
who is the Door.
Here, in John 10:12, the hireling is contrasted with
the true or faithful shepherd
who willingly gives up his life for the sheep.
He who is a “hireling” works for wages, which
are his main consideration.
His concern is not for the sheep but
for himself.
Interestingly enough, the shepherds of ancient times were not usually the owners of the flock. Nevertheless, they were expected to exercise the same care and concern the owners would. This was characteristic of a true shepherd. However, some of the hirelings thought only of themselves. As a result, when a wolf appeared—the most common threat to sheep in that day—the hireling abandoned the flock and fled, leaving the sheep to be scattered or killed
(John 10:12–13).
First, to better understand
The Purpose
of a shepherd during the times of Jesus,
it is helpful to realize that sheep are utterly
defenseless and totally
dependent upon the shepherd.
Sheep are always subject to danger
and must always be under
The watchful Eye
of the
Shepard as they graze
Rushing walls of water down the valleys from sudden, heavy rainfalls may sweep them away, robbers may steal them, and wolves may attack the flock. David tells how he killed a lion and a bear while defending his father’s flock as a shepherd boy (1 Samuel 17:36). Driving snow in winter, blinding dust and burning sands in summer, long, lonely hours each day—all these the shepherd patiently endures for the welfare of the flock. In fact, shepherds were frequently subjected to grave danger, sometimes even giving their lives to protect their sheep.
Likewise, Jesus gave
His life on the cross
as “the Good Shepherd” for
his own.
He who would save others, though
He had the power,
did not choose to save Himself
. “The Son of Man
did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give
His life a ransom for many”
(Matthew 20:28).
Through His willing sacrifice,
the Lord made salvation possible for all
who come to Him in faith.
In proclaiming
that He is the Good Shepherd,
Jesus speaks
of
“laying down” His life for His sheep
(John 10:15, 17–18).
Jesus’ death was divinely appointed.
It is only through Him that we receive salvation.
“I am the good shepherd;
and I know My sheep, and am
known by My own”
(John 10:14)
Furthermore, Jesus makes it clear that it wasn’t just for the Jews that he laid down His life, but also for the
“other sheep I have which are
not of this fold;
them also I must bring,
and they will hear My voice; and there will be
one flock
and
one shepherd
(John 10:16).
The “other sheep” clearly refers to the Gentiles.
As a result, Jesus is the
Good Shepherd over all,
both
Jew and Gentile,
who come to believe upon Him
(John 3:16).