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Sunday School Lesson
It is easy for us to "glamorize" the teachings of scripture. Time has dimmed the impact of some of the great truths that the holy spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21) gave to the church through the inspired writers. We have developed an attitude of "the warm fuzzies" to accompany the picture of the "good shepherd." It is important for us to remember that the shepherds were at the "bottom of the social ladder." Their lives were neither "glamorous" nor "exciting." Thus, Jesus was identifying himself with the "lowly tradesmen," and picturing the attitude of care and concern that characterized these individuals, who could be content with a solitary life. As John recorded this teaching of the master, Jesus Christ of Nazareth painted another of the "word pictures" of his divine call and ministry. Through his series of "I Am's," he described the nature of the life that he lived and the type of ministry that characterized his divine mission. Following the healing of the blind man (John 9:1-7), this healed man was questioned by the Pharisees- one of the religious ruling parties (John 9:13). After these religious leaders further denounced the ministry of Jesus, they excommunicated this healed man from the Jewish synagogue. John 9:34c. When Jesus found the man, he assured him of his faith. John 9:35- 38. In the teaching that followed this event, the master painted a word picture that showed these religious leaders to be "less than desirable." He did not use degrading terms in the strokes used on this mental canvas "word picture"- that was clear to any receiving heart. The savior of the world began this "teaching session" with sketching a scene that was understood by all of his hearers. "Verily (truly), verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up (to ascend; comes) some other way (elsewhere), the same (he) is a thief (one who steals secretly) and a robber (one who steals violently)." John 10:1. He, then, used contrasting "colors." "But he that entereth in by (through) the door is the shepherd of (the one who tends) the sheep." John 10:2. There is no question of the "authority" of the shepherd regarding entry. "To him the porter (gatekeeper) openeth..." John 10:3a. Yet, the "final acceptance" comes from those who are under his care- the sheep- "and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadedth them out." John 10:3b, c. The sheep "know" that they can trust the shepherd. "And when he putteth forth (send forth) his own sheep, he goeth before (in front of) them, and the sheep follow him: for they know (to know by experience) his (personal pronoun) voice (sound)." John 10:4. The sheep can distinguish between the "true and the false"- "And a stranger (not one's own; belonging to another) will they not (absolute negative) follow, but will flee (to run far away) from him: for they know not the voice of strangers." John 10:5. To many of the hearers, this word picture was just "words" describing a scene with which they were familiar, but "What is the point?" John wrote, "This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood (to come to know) not (absolute negative) what things they were which he spake unto them." John 10:6. John, then, recorded the explanation and application. "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door (point of entry) of the sheep. All that ever came before (prior to) me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear (listen to) them. I am the door: by (through) me if any man (one) enter in, he shall be saved (delivered from sin), and shall go in and out, and find pasture (grass for grazing- see Psalm 23:2)." John 10:7-9. The master showed a contrast. "The thief cometh (denoted the 'act') not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (to cause to perish): I (the word used for emphasis) am come (came) that they might have (possess) life (life on the highest plane), and that they might have it more abundantly (excess; exceeding measure)." John 10:10. The declaration made by Jesus of Nazareth provided a word picture of his own life and ministry in relation to all who would accept him as personal savior and Lord. For those who would allow him to be in "control" of his or her life, his statement brought- and continues to bring- great assurance. "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life (soul) for the sheep." John 10:11. Remember the lowly position of the people with whom the son of God identified- the lowest in society. Shepherds were not the only individuals to whom sheep were entrusted. "But he that is an hireling (a hired servant; a mercenary), and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf (the usual word for the carnivorous beast) coming, and leaveth (forsakes) the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep." John 10:12. The Apostle Paul used the same figure of speech as he spoke with the church leaders from the city of Ephesus. Acts 20:29. These warnings are valid in our day. After describing the actions of the hireling, our savior pictured the attitude of these individuals. "The hireling fleeth, because (by order of the fact that) he is an hireling, and careth not (is not concerned) for (about) the sheep." John 10:13. This picture was true of the religious leaders of that day. Sadly, this same scene can be viewed in churches in our day. For emphasis, the savior repeated his declaration. "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known (indicated a relationship between the one knowing and that object that is known) of mine." John 10:14. What is your personal relationship with the good shepherd? How familiar are you with the "voice" of the shepherd? To his hearers, Jesus said, "As the father knoweth me, even so know I the father: and I lay down my life (soul) for the sheep." John 10:15.
The statement of the universal scope of the gospel reaches to our day. "And other sheep I have (possess), which are not of this fold (yard, as open to the wind): them also I must (no other alternative) bring (lead along), and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold (flock), and one shepherd." John 10:16. The master left no doubt regarding his care for the souls of mankind. He would be the "ultimate sacrifice" in order for the lost "sheep" to have life. John 10:17, 18. Please become part of that "flock" today by exercising faith in Jesus.
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