T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
18
not lessen the safety, although it does sadly affect one’s enjoyment of his security iii Christ., The Father, who gives the sheep to the Son, is “greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand,” Christ declares (v. 29). Perhaps there is no stronger affirmation of the safety and security^ of the believer than is found here. If a soul has really heard the voice of Christ and has followed Him, that soul can rest in the assurance that none will ever pluck that one from the hands of the Son and of the Father. Both the Father and the Son are here obligated to preserve every believer. A further reason for the safety here in described is that there is a com munity of essence between the Son and the Father. They are one in na ture, dignity, power, and purpose. The Father has diety, so also has the Son in like manner and measure. “I and the Father are one” (v. 30, R. V.1). Essential deity belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, and it is He who has made this strong affirmation that per tains to the believer’s èternal safety. Points and Problems 1. "He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold" (John 10:1). Among the orientals the shepherd literally is often the door, of the fold. He stands in the passage that leads into the enclosure and a d m i t s them and counts them as they return home from the pasture. Ofttimes he sits down in this same opening when the sheep are safely in the fold and thus keeps any intruders from .entering or any sheep from going out except by his permission. How like Christ our Door! 2. "But he that entereth in by the door is the [a] shepherd of the sheep" (v, 2). In the Greek there is no definite article before shepherd, and thus we are to see that our Lord is not here speaking of Himself but of all true under-shepherds. The leaders who are true to Christ, the Good Shepherd, may be depended upon as true shep herd^ of God’s sheep. They have no interest in other ways of salvation. They know only one way. 3. "When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them" (v. 4). It is most interesting to study the accuracy with which the Bible pre sents the age-long customs of Pales tine. Because the Bible is so absolute ly true to fact when it comes to these comparatively minor matters, we may trust its veracity when it speaks on the weighty matters that pertain to the soul. Customs surrounding the sheepfold are much the same in Palestine today as they were in the days of our Lord. The writer is a wit ness to this fact. Shepherds still put
ers.-It pleases Christ today when those who have received Him as a personal Saviour tell others about Him.'
that, whereas I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). Those who were healed by Jesus usually went and told oth-
FEBRUARY 21, 1943 JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD J ohn 10
(vs. 11, 12). The hireling cares noth ing for the sheep nor for their owner, but merely for the wages of an hire ling (v. 13). The true shepherd has the care of the sheep as his first en deavor, iwhatever the cost to himself, in this connection, it might be pointed out that, strictly speaking, the Lord Jesus Christ, is not performing the work of the Good Shepherd today; He has finished His work as such, having once for all laid down His life. Today He is the Great Shepherd as risen from among the dead (Heb. 13:20), and is watching over and protecting His sheep. In the future, He will be the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4), whose work He has not yet-begun to perform. The Shepherd knows His sheep and they know Him, as He knows the Father and the Father knbws Him (vs. 14, 15; cf. 2 Tim. 2:19). He knows where, each of His own is located, even the “other sheep,” and one day there'will be one flock when the sheep of the “ other fold” are brought in (v. 16). Probably the reference here is to the Gentiles. III. T he A ssurance (27-30) The sheep hear the Shepherd’s voice, and no other voice can entice them to follow another leader (v. 27). They follow Hint and, following, find sustenance, protection, and satisfac-. tion. Perhaps it is forgetfulness of this verse that causes many to stumble over the truth in this passage. The Shepherd gives eternal life. They who receive that life shall never perish, neither shall any be able to take them from His hand (v. 28)8 There are those who fear that the sheep may take themselves out of God’s hand, but certainly the “any” , of this verse answers even this possi bility. All who have received eternal life through faith in Christ are safe. But many, being uncertain concerning this teaching, are not sure they are safe. This uncertainty, however, can- BLACKBOARD LESSON
John 10:1 Verily, verily* I say unto you, He that enitereth not by the door into the sheepiold, but climbeth up some other Tray, the same is a thief and a rob ber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and le&deth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger «vill they not follow, but will flee from ¡him; for they know hot the voice of strangers. ' I l l am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is a hireling, and not . the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seetk the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth? and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. " 15 As the Father knoweth me* even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice? and there shall be one fold, and' one shepherd. 27 My sheep hear my f voice, and I know them, and they follow1me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life? and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all) and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. LESSON TEXT : John 10:1-5, 11-16, 27-30. GOLDEN TEXT : “I am the good shep herd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). DEVQTIONAL READING: Psa. 23. Outline and Exposition I- T he P arable (1-5) I N THIS parable, 'the false shep herd enters the sheepfold in order to steal, not to- Sustain, the sheep (v. IX, The true shepherd has certain marks by which he< can be identified. To him the porter opens the door. The sheep hear his voice (vs. 2, 3), and he calls them by name and leads them out. “When he hath put forth all” tv. 4, R. V.)—indicating that not one is left—of his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him. They flee from a stranger, not knowing his voice (v. 5). Each of these statements may be expanded, thus setting forth the glorious truth revealed in this parable. - , II,. T he E xplanation (11-16) Speaking plainly and no longer in parabolic form, Jesus claimed to be the Good Shepherd, giving His life for the sheep, unlike the hireling who would flee at the approach of danger
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker