Pastor Erick Sorensen dives into John 10.1-11 discussing why we follow Jesus. What does it mean that He is a "Good Shepherd"? How does He know "his sheep"?
I’ve been enjoying these. I am new to Lutheranism (grew up Baptist/evangelical). I definitely find the Law & Gospel paradigm helpful. I am not sure, however, in this context that the sheep in John 10 would have had a fear (hearing Law) in the statement that the Shepherd knows his sheep. In this discourse, it seems the main point is the contrast between thieves (i.e. false shepherds) and the one True Shepherd. As you pointed out, the mutual knowing in 10:14 seems comforting. While I resonate with the Law & Gospel messaging, it isn’t obvious to me that the audience would have gone to law-based introspection on hearing the Shepherd knows his sheep. That seems to me to be entirely Gospel and comforting. Respectfully submitted.
I’ve been enjoying these. I am new to Lutheranism (grew up Baptist/evangelical). I definitely find the Law & Gospel paradigm helpful. I am not sure, however, in this context that the sheep in John 10 would have had a fear (hearing Law) in the statement that the Shepherd knows his sheep. In this discourse, it seems the main point is the contrast between thieves (i.e. false shepherds) and the one True Shepherd. As you pointed out, the mutual knowing in 10:14 seems comforting. While I resonate with the Law & Gospel messaging, it isn’t obvious to me that the audience would have gone to law-based introspection on hearing the Shepherd knows his sheep. That seems to me to be entirely Gospel and comforting. Respectfully submitted.