Jesus gave an allegory of a shepherd and his sheep to those listening. This would have been very recognizable to the hearers, for throughout the Old Testament God had referred to Himself as the Shepherd of His flock, Israel (Psalms 80:1, 23:1, Is 40:10-11). His plan was for under-shepherds to care for His flock on His behalf, but they had failed to do so (Jer 23:1-4, Isaiah 56:10-11, Eze 34:1-2). Therefore God was going to raise up His Messiah as Shepherd over Israel (Eze 34:23). The shepherds of the flock of God had failed miserably at their task of caring for the sheep as they had proven in the incidents of the last few days. The blind man was obviously one of the flock and yet they had thrown him out of the fold!

Psalms 80:1  For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant”. Of Asaph. A psalm. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

Psalms 23:1  A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Isaiah 40:10-11  See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and his arm rules for him. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him.  He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Jeremiah 23:1-4  “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!” declares the LORD.  Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: “Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done,” declares the LORD.  “I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number.  I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing,” declares the LORD.

Isaiah 56:10-11  Israel’s watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep.  They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain.

Ezekiel 34:1-2  The word of the LORD came to me:  “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?

Ezekiel 34:23  I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd.

There is a difference between a thief and a robber. McGarvey observes that “A thief steals by cunning in one’s absence; a robber takes by violence from one’s person. The Pharisees were both. They stole the sheep in Messiah’s absence, and they slew Messiah when he came. They did not come in the ways ordained of God.”  (TFG 468)

What about you? Has God raised you to a leadership position over part of His flock? If so, the real question becomes, “Are you entering through the gate or by some other means?” The gate is Jesus. It is God’s mercy and His love manifested to His flock. Are you nurturing those in your care? Do you do what you do for selfish gain or do you do it for God and His flock? Read again through the verses above and see what God has to say to you through them.