THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 22, 2022
TEXT:
John 10:1-21
1.
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he who does not enter by the door
into the sheepfold, but climbs up from some other place [on the stone wall],
that one is a thief and a robber.
2.
But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep [the protector and
provider].
3.
The doorkeeper opens [the gate] for this man, and the sheep hear his voice and
pay attention to it. And [knowing that they listen] he calls his own sheep by
name and leads them out [to pasture].
4.
When he has brought all his own sheep outside, he walks on ahead of them, and
the sheep follow him because they know his voice and recognize his call.
5.
They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him, because they do
not know the voice of strangers.”
6.
Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what He
was talking about.
7.
So Jesus said again, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I am the Door
for the sheep [leading to life].
8.
All who came before Me [as false messiahs and self-appointed leaders] are
thieves and robbers, but the [true] sheep did not hear them.
9.
I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live
forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual
security).
10.
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they
may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it
overflows].
11.
I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the
sheep.
12.
But the hired man [who merely serves for wages], who is neither the shepherd
nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and
runs away; and the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.
13.
The man runs because he is a hired hand [who serves only for wages] and is not
concerned about the [safety of the] sheep.
14.
I am the Good Shepherd, and I know [without any doubt those who are] My own and
My own know Me [and have a deep, personal relationship with Me]-
15.
even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father-and I lay down My [very own]
life [sacrificing it] for the benefit of the sheep.
16.
I have other sheep [beside these] that are not of this fold. I must bring those
also, and they will listen to My voice and pay attention to My call, and they
will become one flock with one Shepherd.
17.
For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My [own] life so that I
may take it back.
18.
No one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down voluntarily, I am authorized
and have power to lay it down and to give it up, and I am authorized and have
power to take it back. This command I have received from My Father.”
19.
A division [of opinion] occurred again among the Jews because of these words
[of His].
20.
Many of the said, “He has a demon and He is mad [insane-He raves and rambles].
Why listen to Him?”
21.
Others were saying, “These are not the words and thoughts of one possessed by a
demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
(Amplified
Version Holy Bible)
TOPIC:
JESUS, THE TRUE SHEPHERD
Today’s passage begins
with the great revelation of Jesus as the true shepherd of life. There are many
‘shepherds’ and ‘pastors’ today who possess the attributes set out in verse 1
of our text. The true shepherd, on the other hand, is called the ‘Watchman’ who
stays with the ‘Sheep’ through thick and thin which makes them recognize his
voice and he also calls them by name.
Such sheep will not
follow strangers but run away from him. However, today’s pseudo-shepherds have
large flocks following them out of ignorance and spiritual blindness. This was
the parable Jesus used but the religionists and false teachers couldn’t
understand it (v. 6).
QUESTION:
Have you discovered Jesus as the true Shepherd of your soul?
PRAYER:
Oh Lord, may I not be led astray by strange voices which claim to be shepherd
when they are actually thieves and robbers, in Jesus name, Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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