He's talking about the Gentiles, and you'll note that the result is "one flock and one shepherd", not thousands. Not sure how you get from there to the idea that nobody gets to claim that they're that "one flock". The text doesn't support it.
So?
In the Gospels, Jesus is usually talking to (a) His close-knit apostle-disciples of that given age; (b) Pharisees & teachers of the law; (c) everyday fellow Jews He encountered; (d) Samaritans; (e) At the end of His earthly-life, Roman authorities.
Does that mean since you are none of the above, that you never apply anything Jesus says to your life since you don't qualify under the umbrella of those groups?
...and you'll note that the result is "one flock and one shepherd", not thousands.
What? Did Jesus abdicate His shepherdhood? (You had me concerned for a moment?)
And what? You're not accusing Jesus, as the Head of His Church and key leader of it, that He's somehow unable to keep His flock unified enough, are you?
Not sure how you get from there to the idea that nobody gets to claim that they're that "one flock".
You're putting words in my mouth. I never said that the sheep can't claim they are sheep. By virtue of the very verse I cited, I simply pointed out that the sheep who think they are on the "inside" of the pen Jesus might be focusing on at that moment, can't claim to be the only sheep.
(Try reading my comments in full context)
Here, allow me to move on to yet another parallel principle using another verse so you can try to understand: The parable of the waiting Father (prodigal son). The son who stayed at home might be tempted to think he's the only "real" son 'cause the other "prodigalized." Abandoned ship. Went awol.
That would have been a mistaken assumption on his part.
Now, there's bound to be some poster who comes along & says, "He's talking about prodigals, and you'll note that the result is 'one household and one father,' not thousands. Not sure how you get from there to the idea that nobody gets to claim that they're not a 'true son.'"
And me? I'll just shake my head in wonderment.
My point will be -- at that point -- to say: Look again at the brother who stayed home. Instead of welcoming his brother with open arms, he wasn't very "tolerant" of the idea of having somebody who spent his inheritance on wild living treated as a celebration. To that son, he was the "only REAL son on the face of the earth."
The context of this whole thing was simply to say the family is a little bit bigger than you might think; and those who want to shrink it are a wee bit on the intolerant side.
Next post I'll provide a couple of more passages where Jesus indicates this.
38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. (Mark 9)
48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12)