Sunday, October 27, 2013

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD


John 10:14-15             I AM the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me (just as the Father knows me and I know the Father) and I lay down my life for the sheep.


The Good Shepherd has three qualities that false shepherds do not. First, Jesus says that only the true shepherd will give his life for the sheep. The hired hand takes no ownership interest in the sheep. He is someone who receives benefit on terms that make him only concerned about his pay, his welfare in the relationship. When trouble comes or severe weather strikes, the hired man will run for safety, his safety. Abandoning position as a hire man reveals the shallow level of interest and care for the lives of the sheep. If the sheep are stolen by threatening robbers or die in natural disaster, the hired man has only lost his wage. He has lost nothing, they’re not his sheep.

Second, the Good Shepherd is recognized, known by his sheep and they listen to his voice. The implication of knowing and hearing the Good Shepherd is that his sheep will follow him. They will gather with other flocks of his sheep. Many people hear the message of Christ yet only a small number follow and believe. As the early church expanded the message they took was the voice of Christ Jesus beckoning his sheep to follow. To this day, many have heard the voice of Christ in the message of the good news and from the pages of Scripture. And to this day only a few know him and listen to him.

Lastly, the Good Shepherd has the authority himself to lay down his life for his sheep and to take it up again. The laying down and the taking up of his life points directly to his crucifixion and resurrection. The Son of God, has the power to obey the command of the Father. 

How is your heart responding to these teachings? Are you saying, “What nonsense! Who could ever believe this raving mad-man? Why should I listen to him?” Or are you thinking that these words make sense. Are you saying to yourself, “Jesus must have known what He was saying. Can a mand-man open the eyes of the blind or heal the crippled?” If you are saying the later, then don’t you believe you should listen to more he says in Scripture? Do you know that you must trust him and follow him?

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