John 10:11-21 | What's the lesson for the original audience?

Jesus, in describing Himself in contrast to the Pharisees, highlights a third role which the reader naturally places themselves in. That would be the role of the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.
-John 10:14

The sheep knows the shepherd. This gives a certain responsibility to the reader. It would call into question what they are following. Are they following the counterfeit? Are they following the hireling? To consider this passage from the perspective of the sheep is critical. To follow the hireling is certain danger. They are in it for themselves, not because they care for the sheep. This means certain danger in following the Pharisees and their ways of thinking. Naturally, it highlights the potential peril off the listener. Jesus is the only way. He is the entrance to the flock. He is the master of the flock. The sheep must then listen to His voice.

We get to see first-hand what the response was from the the people. Those who opposed Jesus accuse Him of being mad and having a demon. Others, however, saw the validity in what Jesus was saying. It polarized the groups. Those that saw how Jesus opened the eyes of the blind and believed, recognized the truth that Jesus was bringing. Any counterfeit way is destructive. Jesus is essential.

What lesson are you seeing?