The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-09-16
CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
International Sunday-School Lesson for
September 20, 1891.


International sunday-school Lesson for
september 20, 1901.
Especially Arranged from S. S. Quarterlyl
LESSON TEXT-John TO- lilo.
GOLDEN TEXT Tine Lord is my shepherd; /
shall not want-Ps. 2S. J.
CENTRAL TRurH-Jesus Christ is the good
shepherd, who guides, guards, feeds and saves
us.
TIME. October A. D. 90 Soon after the last
lesson, John, 1929, 81.
PLACE.-Judea, probably Jerusalem.
CORRESPONDING PASsAuEs.-Ps. %; Matt
IS: II, 10; Luke Is: ~; lisa. A.: II; Eek.
"a: l1-23.
CIRCUMSTANCES. The blind man Of whom
we studied in our last lesson was expelled from
the synagogue for defending Jesus, who had
| cured him. Thus the Pharlsces who pretended
to be the religious guides and shepherds of Is
rael, had proved themselves bad shepherds
driving away part of the flock. Jesus there
fore teaches the people and the Pharisees what
ore the marks Of u true shepherd.
HELPS OVER HARD PLACES, II. ''Shecp-
| fold:n not covered building, but mere in
| closure, surrounded by wall or thorn bushes.
| 1.-THE door," the proper appointed way: spir-
| itually, character ans knowledge lifted for
| the work. '"Thief:' one who seeks his own
| honor, pleasure or wealth at the expense OF
the flock. g. 1.-THE porter" the Father in
Heaven. Hear" listen and obey. "Calleth.. go.
by name" eastern shepherds know each OF
| their sheep by name. Jesus knows us all as
| individuals; He knows all our needs. our temp
tations, our hopes and troubles. "Leadcth
them OUT" into the pastures 4. "He goeth
before them" so does every good teacher. He
sets them q good example, and lays no burden
| upon them which he does not himself take up.
:. II am the Door" the way by which men can
enter the kingdom Of God. s. "All that ...came
| before Me:' pretending that they we're the
| Messiah, or that there were other ways OF sal
walton and prosperity than that which He
preached. o. go in and outs" to the pastures
| where the shepherd lived. But his home was
| at the fold. IL. ~ hireling:" one who works
simply for the pay. with no love for the sheep
nor for the Master IA. know My Sheep
everything about them us intimately rs the
Father knew His only begotten Son. IS. 'Other
Sheep" Gentiles who were to be brought into
the church. zone fold:" rather one flock, all
belonging to one church, serving one Master,
JESUS THE DooR.-Through Him all enter
into the blessings of salvation. D Jesus
brought the truths OF salvation from Cod 81
He made the only atonement for sin. CD He
brought to men the new spiritual, divine life
without which no one can see God. "a HI
brought in Himself every power which coult
lead men to be good. He was the embodiment
OF all the Influences by which men become chill
dren Of God, even under the old covenant II
Him all their sacrifices and ceremonies, ant
all their prophets pointed.
LESSON COMMENTS.
While Jesus lived in Nazareth, fo
nearly thirty years, He had often seer
the shepherds with their focl1s of sheep
He saw how tenderly they cared TO
their sheep. Doubtless He knew alst
the story of David and his flock, ant
how David attacked and killed liol
and bear, at the risk Of his own life
in defense of his sheep. In the east tn
shepherd always leads his flock, instead
of driving them, as we do; and he call
them "by name," literally, and the.
obey his voice. All this Jesus had ur
doubtedly noticed; and in our lesson to
day He compares Himself to the goo
shepherd. AS a good shepherd care
for his flock, So. Jesus says, He care
for all His true followers.
A good shepherd is willing to die 70
his sheep. He will not flee when tn
wolf comes to destroy the flock, bu
will boldly meet him and risk his lif
in the defense of his charge. This
Just what Jesus did. He not only risked
but He laid down His life for Hi
sheep. They were lost on the dar
mountains of sin; and He went out an
sought for them, until He found them
How much is involved in the little wor
''until' we can never tell. 'i
"But none of the ransomed ever knew
} How deep were the waters crossed;
J Nor how dark was the night that the Lor
III passed through,
, Ere He found His sheep that was lost.
Out in the desert He heard its cry y
J Sick and helpless and ready to die"
But though none of the ransome
| sheep ever will know what it cost t
redeem him, Jesus knew full well tn
price He should have to pay. Yet Fl
willingly paid it, because of His love 10
His sheep. ,dsH u 1sttl1a
Note again, the good shepherd call
his sheep. When they have wandere
into dangerous places, he lifts up hi
voice and calls them back. He call
.. them, not because he wants to harm
but because he wants to help them. II
knows better than they where danger
lie, and where the path of safety is
be found So Jesus calls us all. II
says: "Come unto Me, all We that ar
.. weary and heavy laden, and l will Civ
you rest" Through the still, smal
voice of the Holy Spirit He calls ever
one 70 Himself. Not because He want
to mar our pleasures, but because Ii
wants us to walk in green pastures, an
to feed beside still waters of safety
. Probably every scholar in this schoo
has ut some time or another heard Iii
voice.
'rhis loving Saviour stands patiently
: | Though oft rejected calling now for thee.
Calling now for thee, ;prodigal, calling now fc
/, thee.
Thou hast wandered far away, but He callet
now for thee"
Rev. A. +. Peloubet, d. d.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
/. The fold is the kingdom of God, tn
true church.
2. The sheep are those who trust i
Jesus, follow Him, obey Him, know
Him.
5. Their enemies are those who teac
false doctrine, set bad examples, insti
: wrong principles, and seek their ow
advantage at the expense of tn