Shepherd, the Good One

The Jews hated Christ so much that they tried several times to kill Him, claiming that He was demon possessed and a blasphemer. In John 10, Jesus addresses the Pharisees. The message Christ delivered to them was based on Ezekiel 34, particularly verse 22 where Messiah is prophesied to come and be the true Shepherd of Israel. In John 10, Jesus clearly asserts that He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Four times He repeats this phrase. Only Jesus is true shepherd in contrast to false shepherds who had failed. He is not only the shepherd of Israel, but promises to gather the other Gentile sheep so that there will be one fold and one Shepherd.