When we think about Jesus' death, we often focus on how He died for us individually. While this is true, there's another powerful dimension to His sacrifice - He died to create a unified flock, a community of believers who follow Him together.
Who Is Jesus' Flock?
In John 10, Jesus uses the metaphor of a shepherd and his sheep to explain who belongs to His flock. There are four key characteristics that define His flock:
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Anyone who enters through Jesus becomes part of His flock - Jesus says, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved" (John 10:9). The only requirement to be part of Jesus' flock is a commitment to Jesus as Lord, not just thinking He's cool.
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Jesus died for His flock - "I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:15). Unlike hired hands who run away when trouble comes, Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself for His sheep.
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The flock recognizes Jesus' voice and follows - "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). While we haven't physically heard Jesus' voice with our ears, we hear Him through Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the wisdom of His providence.
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There is one flock - "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" (John 10:16). Jesus joins all who come to Him into a single group - the church.
What Did Jesus Really Die For?
It's important to understand what Jesus did and didn't die for when it comes to His flock.
Jesus Didn't Die For:
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The physical building where we meet
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Our favorite church programs
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Denominations or conventions
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Leadership positions or power structures
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Churchy activities that keep us busy
These things may be helpful tools, but they aren't what Jesus sacrificed Himself to create.
Jesus Did Die For:
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A unified people who follow Him together
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A community that listens to His voice
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A flock that welcomes others into relationship with Him
How Can We Match Jesus' Love for His Flock?
If Jesus loved His flock enough to die for it, how should we respond? Here are three ways we can match Jesus' love for His flock:
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Invite people to respond to Jesus Himself - We shouldn't just try to get people into our building; we should help them meet Jesus. He is the gate, not our physical doors.
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Train the sheep to listen to the Shepherd - Everything we do should help people become more attuned to Jesus' voice. We don't want to keep people busy with church activities; we want to help them hear and obey Jesus.
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Train the sheep to be a flock - We need to practice skills and habits that foster unity. Our natural relational instincts often cause problems, so we need to learn new ways of relating that build community rather than divide it.
The Bigger Picture of the Flock
Being part of Jesus' flock extends beyond any single congregation or denomination. Anyone who hears the Shepherd's call and enters through the gate is part of the one flock. This includes believers in other denominations, other local congregations, and even those who have been hurt by churches but still follow Jesus.
Life Application
As you reflect on Jesus' sacrifice for His flock, consider these questions:
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How does your commitment to Jesus' flock match His commitment to it? Are you as invested in the community of believers as Jesus was?
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In what ways might you be prioritizing "churchy things" over the actual flock Jesus died for?
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How well do you recognize Jesus' voice among all the other voices competing for your attention?
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What practical steps can you take this week to strengthen your connection to the flock?
This week, commit to one specific action that demonstrates your commitment to Jesus' flock. Perhaps it's reaching out to someone who feels disconnected, practicing a skill that fosters unity, or inviting someone to respond to Jesus Himself. Remember, Jesus didn't just die for you individually—He died to create a community of believers who follow Him together.