Primary Text: John 10:1-5 Supporting Text: John 10:1-5 Supporting Text: Lu. 1:15; Joh. 1:46-49; Lu. 19:1-6; Ex 3:1-5; Jer. 14-5; Acts 10:1-4; Ps. 139:16 The Shepherd and the sheep.
By anticipation the Lord Jesus laid down in this allegory the relations which should obtain between himself and his people unto t tie end of time.
I. THE DIVINE SHEPHERD’S TREATMENT OF THE FLOCK. 1. He goes before them. Like an Oriental shepherd, Christ does not drive his flock from him; he draws them to him. This he has done in the whole tenor of his human life—in his circumstances, his character, his toils, his sufferings and death, his glory. 2. He calls them by name. This implies individual knowledge of all the sheep, whom he not merely marks, but actually names. Thus he denotes his property in them, his interest in their welfare. 3. He leads them out into green pastures, and calls them to follow him thither. His command takes the form of invitation. The attraction of his love induces his sheep to follow him. He conducts them to the pastures where he feeds them, to the fold where he protects them.
II. THE RESPONSE OF THE FLOCK TO THE LANGUAGE AND TREATMENT OF THE DIVINE SHEPHERD. 1. They hear and know his voice. Christ’s tones, when he speaks to his own, are gentle and kind; his language is compassionate and encouraging, His voice is, therefore, suited especially to the timid, the feeble, the helpless. To all such it is sweet, cheering, and comforting. The people of Christ are deaf to other voices, but are attentive to this its charm is felt, its authority is recognized. They have heard it before; they know it and love it; they distinguish it from every other. Gratefully and gladly do they hear the voice of the Beloved. 2. They obey and follow him. The voice is enough. The true sheep do not wait for the crook, the staff; they are obedient to the Shepherd’s word of gentle authority. It is enough for them that the way in which they are led is his way. “He that followeth me,” says Christ, “shall not walk in darkness.” There is no questioning, no hesitation, no delay; the sheep follow whither the Shepherd leads. Thus they have rest and peace. They fear no danger and no foe while their Pastor watches over them and defends them. They need not ask why such a path is marked out for them, for they have perfect confidence in their Divine Leader. They need not ask whither they are going, for they are satisfied if they are in the pasture and the fold of him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls.
III. THE SHEEP OF CHRIST’S FLOCK KNOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD, WHO OWNS AND CANES FOR THEM. 1. Their knowledge of their Savior is based upon his knowledge of them. 2. It is a knowledge which is associated with gratitude and affection. 3. It is a knowledge which leads to cheerful obedience. The sheep who know the form and the voice of the Shepherd follow him whithersoever he goeth; and the law of the Christian’s life is obedience to the Master. 4. It is a knowledge which prompts to witness. Those who know the qualities of the Shepherd, his power to save and bless, will not fail to make him known to those who need his love and care.
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