Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-07-03
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Er FEY. =. B. HAnaRAvEs.


Lesson .. JuLI 1lth.
JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
John 8, 1-lS. Golden Text, John
10, IL. Iimes October A. ID. o.
Place. Jerusalem.
The man whose sight had been re-
stored had had another interview with
Jesus, and had become His willing dis
ciples. a crowd gathered round and
listened to the conversation. some
Babbis were there, as usual ready to
find fault with His teachings and acts,
and report them 10 the councils.
Jesus told them the parable of the
good shepherd, using . very familiar
illustration 10 convey the most import
been well acquainted with the facts Of
the illustration, ard ought 10 have un-
derstOod its application more fully than
they did.
In Oriental countries the shepherd
sustains q close relation to lis HocEs-
The same is true of the mountainous
districts in the north OF England and
Scotland. Isolation priVatiOn, dan
gers endured and happiness enjoyed in
common bind the shepherd closely to
his sheep.
At night it was the custom to take
his hOck TO the common fold and there
leave it in charge Of The porter, who
with his dog would guard the entrance.
Several docks would be In the same
enclosure, or fold, at the same time.
The door shut and guarded, the sheep
were safe from the attacks OF wolves
and the depredations Of robbers.
In the morning the shepherds knock
ct the door, the porter opens 1T, and
they gOin and call their Hocss.
The shepherd knows each individual
sheep OF his flock and each sheep knows
his voice. When he calls the sheep
they Immediately follow him, But il
q stranger calls them, even by name,
they look mp in alarm and then run
away During the day the shepherd
leads his flock into green pastures aud
/ beside cooling streams, they gladly
following where he leads.
What beautiful picture our Savior
here presents of Himself ard His
church. He represents Himself as the
true door, through which all must pass
who would enter His kingdom There
Is no other way except by Christ, Then
He repI esents Himself as the Good
Shepherd who knows His people and
who leads them into the paths of pleas
antness and peace.
The 81 other sheep" to which he re-
ferred were the Geutll5s ana the false
/ shepherds, were the false teachers,
/ especially the Rabbits, the Pharisees ,
and the priests. Jesus tells them that
as q good shepherd He VIII not only
I provide His followers with q secure
/ fold not only protect them from thieves;
robbers, and wild animals; not only
/ lead them into ''greeu pastures and be-
/ side still waters; - but He will also lay
down His life for them. He Tins teach
/ es sill more clearly than ever before
/ that the gentiles should have q part
4 in His new kingdom, and also that He
/ Himself should culIaiuate His life work
/ on the Cross. Not by force but v0Iun-
/ tarily- He is the author and eiver of
OF lie. He could have saved Himself;
but OF His own accord Voluntarily, He
laid down His lie Tor the sheep.
LESSON THOUGHTS.
1. Christ is the Shepherd. Let US
follow Him.
.. Christ used illustrations which
were easily understood,
3. Christ knows each follower by
name, and takes an individual interest
in each one.
4. Christ is the door. Enter while
you may.