Blind sheep make good mutton. 

Can you imagine the impact of a blind sheep in a flock? The poor thing could not see where to go or what to eat. A sheep like that is a burden that slows down every step of progress. Truly, there is only one destiny for a blind sheep. Lamb chops, anyone?

It is important to remember at this point in John’s Gospel that it was not written with chapters and verses. Those were helpfully added later. Chapters 9 and 10 not only stand side by side but chapter ten is a continuation of what happened in chapter nine where a man born blind was given his sight by Jesus. 

If we read a Bible with the words of Jesus in red, we note the shift from conversation at the end of chapter 9 to Jesus’ monologue to begin chapter 10. Jesus accentuates this with a double Amen (Amen, Amen) to begin his teaching on this matter. 

The Christian Standard Bible translates the double Amen as “Truly I tell you, . . .” The New American Standard Bible translates it, “Truly, truly I say to you, . . .” The New International Version translates it, “Very truly I tell you . . .” The New Living Translation translates it, “I tell you the truth, . . .” You see that Jesus has something important to say about what has just happened. 

The man born blind was treated like an object of theological reflection by the disciples in 9:1, 2. Jesus saw him as someone who needed to see and led him through a healing process (verses 3-7). The formerly blind man’s neighbors and those who had passed by him day by day as he begged for his meager existence were not sure it was really him (verses 8 and 9). 

The Pharisees saw him as a sinner beyond redemption (verses 13-34). To them, he was mutton in the making. 

To somebody, you too are mutton in the making. To some people, you have no value. Your life holds no meaning or purpose. You are disposable. 

To Jesus, you are a sheep of his pasture. He protects you, defends you, rescues you, and provides for you. He leads you where you need to go. He even laid down his life for you. John 10:1-18 is all about who Jesus is and all about who you are to him. 

Ezekiel 34 and John 9 and 10 have much in common. Psalm 23 and John 9 and 10 also have much in common. 

To some people, you are mutton in the making. To them, you are better off dead.

To Jesus, you are a sheep of his pasture. To him, you are worth dying for. 

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is our shepherd. The LORD is our Shepherd. 

This may sound crazy (verse 20). Or it may be eye-opening (verse 21).

To you, who is Jesus?

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I will follow the Good Shepherd.

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