Bible Text: John 12:1-21 | Preacher: Eric Kretschmer | Series: John

To understand Jesus’ teaching this morning we need to know a few facts about 1st Century sheep farming. Unlike most sheep farming today, sheep were raised and kept in unfenced, open fields. This meant they were completely dependent on the shepherd, and would not last long if they wandered off. Sheep themselves are highly dependent, singularly unintelligent, prone to wandering, and unable to find their way into the sheepfold (a holding pen) even when it is in plain sight, always depending on the shepherd’s voice to call them and staff to nudge them into safety. And this happens to be the most frequent description God uses for His people: We are his sheep.