The document summarizes a passage from the Bible (John 10: 1-21) where Jesus refers to himself as the Good Shepherd and contrasts his role with that of religious leaders at the time, referred to as thieves and robbers. It then discusses how this passage has been used traditionally by Quakers to oppose pastoral ministry. It suggests the passage indicates that Jesus' message was meant for all people, not just Jews, and that while other religions may imprison people, Jesus offers freedom and will unite all people regardless of religion. It concludes by asking how to recognize Jesus' voice so that it can be taught to others.

1. John 10: 1 – 21
The Good Shepherd

2. Jesus has just healed the man born
blind, who was thrown out by the
pharisees for crediting Jesus.
Then Jesus found the man and
made a veiled accusation against
the pharisees.

3. The Good Shepherd passage is
familiar, but it may not be familiar
as part of Jesus’ conversation with
the pharisees. He seems still to be
talking to them…

4. John 10:1 “I tell you the truth,
the man who does not enter the
sheep pen by the gate, but climbs
in by some other way, is a thief
and a robber.”

5. The pharisees are there hearing
Jesus call them out as “thieves
and robbers,” but they don’t seem
to get it.
Jesus spoke in parables so that He
could sneak things by like this.

6. John 10:8 “…but the sheep did
not listen to them.”
Jesus is painting the picture of a
sheep pen with ordinary people
as the sheep, ruled over by bad
shepherds up until now.

7. Something vaguely like this:

8. When Jesus says, “I am the
gate,” He means what He says.
Shepherds planted themselves in
the doorway to defend the sheep
from predators.

9. Something like this:

10. What I take from this passage
•People have been prisoner in
the sheep pen of the Pharisees
•No one until Jesus has been
able to lead people out.

11. •Everyone other than Jesus is
really about “fleecing” the
sheep and imprisoning them.
•Only Jesus is about guarding
the sheep and giving them
freedom to come and go.

12. This passage has been the basis for
traditional Quaker opposition to
pastoral ministry. What I do has
been called “hireling ministry” and
distrusted as a poor substitute for
Jesus Christ.

13. Sometimes this has been true.
It is not just paid leaders who
poorly substitute for Jesus and
imprison us for unworthy
purposes, though.

14. Religion itself can imprison us.
This passage is also one of the
key scriptural foundations for
any sort of view of other
religions than Christianity…

15. John 10:16 “I have other sheep
that are not of this sheep pen.”
•What can this mean but that
Jesus claims other people
around the world besides just
hereditary Jews of Palestine?

16. Like you and me.
…but what about people who
follow other religions?
(imprisoned by other religions,
including secular irreligion)

17. John 10:16 continued:
“They too will listen to my
voice, and there shall be one
flock and one shepherd.”

18. Hindu, Buddhist, Moslem,
Wiccan, whatever, the person
who doesn’t go to church…
They don’t listen to my voice or
your voice, but they will listen to
Jesus’ voice when they hear Him.

19. …and we will all be unified.
It may not look like American
Protestant religion, but it will
praise God in Jesus’ name.

20. John 10:17 The key to it is:
“I lay down my life – only to
take it up again.”

21. No one can mistake that for
anything else, and they will
listen to the voice of Jesus
when they recognize it.

22. Do you know how to
recognize the voice of
Jesus, so that you can
teach someone else?

23. Recognizing the Voice of Jesus
According to the 7 Last Words from the Cross
1. Father forgive them, for they know not what
they do (Luke 23:34).
Jesus’ voice always offers forgiveness. It does
not ignore sin, but it recognizes that we do the
best with our limited awareness and limited
ability to govern our own will, and it will always
come up short.
2. Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in
paradise (Luke 23:43).
Jesus’ voice immediately responds to faith, not
necessarily with an outward or material,
miraculous salvation, but the guarantee of
perfect, eternal reunion with God.
3. Woman, behold your son: behold your mother
(John 19:26-27).
Jesus’ voice offers comfort here in the world,
bringing His people together to care for each
other in a way that resembles family.
4. My God, My God, why have you forsaken me,
(Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34).
Quoting Psalm 22:1 and a human’s voice of
agonized prayer, Jesus’ voice offers us the
assurance that He shares even the worst of our
suffering, no matter how great or unbearable.
5. I thirst (John 19:28).
Jesus’ voice often comes in simple requests that
are opportunities for us to give and discover Him
as He blesses us and rewards us for our offerings
of mercy and compassion.
6. It is finished (John 19:30).
Jesus’ voice always offers the calm assurance
that God’s will is perfect and will be perfectly
accomplished in full.
7. Father, into your hands I commit my spirit (Luke
23:46).
Jesus’ voice encourages our faith to trust in God
at any cost and be content that His will be done
and not our own.