October 5, 2015 - The Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18)
“I am the good shepherd: The good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.” (John 10:11) Yes, Jesus is the Good Shepherd, no, He is the Great Shepherd and He did lay down His life for His sheep, you and me. He came that we might have life and have it abundantly, everlasting life.
He was not just a “hired man”, no, He is the Lord God and He came so He could pay the debts we could not pay due to our imperfections.
Jesus stands in sharp contrast to those who are mere hired men. There are many who pretend to serve, but only for what they can get out of it and when the going gets rough they desert the sheep. Jesus loved His own until the very end of His life here on earth and He loves us still today as He stands in as our mediator.
“I am the good shepherd, I know My sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for my sheep.” (John 10:14-15) Jesus knows our nature, our needs and our names. He knows the desires and longings of our hearts and He knows our abilities. He carries us in His arms as He knows what is best for us and He supplies our needs.
We know Him, we know that we are completely dependent upon Him for our daily protection and provisions and we know His voice when He speaks to us through the scriptures.
“And other sheep I have that are not of this fold: them also I must bring in, and they shall hear My voice. There shall be one fold, one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
Jesus disciples were practically all Jews and many Jews were very bigoted and did not consider Gentiles to be of the same “class” as they considered themselves. Do we see that same attitude in Christians today?
“I am better than that person; he or she is a dirty, grimy sinner.” Please don’t let any one of us develop that attitude and if one of us should, please let someone correct that attitude in love. I am sure that Jesus knew the hearts of all of His disciples and knew He had to correct that bigoted attitude in all of them to start with.
Jesus opened wide the gate of the sheepfold for all who would enter, but it is the sinners call to walk through the gate of his own free will. The good shepherd also leaves the fold to search for just one lost sheep. We must not forget that there are others who Jesus wishes to be in the fold and it is our job, as Christians, to go forth and find them.
“There will be one flock, one shepherd.” Yes that will be but not until the Rapture of the Church when all the Saints will be gathered together with The Lord in the air and all will be made perfect.
A large number of his sheep are already with him in glory. A large number remain on earth, but when Jesus comes for His own, not one of His sheep will be left behind. All will be caught up to meet Him in the air and it will finally be one fold, one shepherd. Come Lord Jesus...
You are always welcome to join us for Bible Study on Tuesday evenings in Timpson at the Community Center in SoSo Park and on Wednesday evenings at Spring Hill Baptist Church. For more information please call (936-615-1427).
