The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-03-17
CHRIST THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
Sunday school Lesson IN the Inter-
national series Ter sinrch 10
IsDO-John lOsl-10.

GOLDEN TEXT am the good shep-
herd; the good shepherd giyeth Ills life for
His sheep.-John loll
THE SECTION includes the whole chap
Ter.
PLACE.-In or near Jerusalem
THE LESSON.
/. "verily. verify" Jesus is speak
ing. perhaps in continuation and en-
phasis OF what He had just said. with
great solemnity. ''Sheepfold:" Orient
al sheepfolds, for the protection of the
flocks at night, have usually one door
set in the strong walls OF the fold.
Thief and robber:" A robber Is the
more desperate character. The thief
steals; the robber uses violence as well
rs steals
2. shepherds" One Of the shep-
herds. There may be several flocks
in one fold This is reference TO tho
| figure and not yet TO the truth Illus
trated.
8. "The porter" The undershe pherd
| who has charge OF the door and stays
all night with the several flocks in the
| fold. 1t is not certain that Jesus in
tended the porter TO represent anyone
in the Christian church, but this term
NAV have been used simply to COM
plcte the description Of the oriental
fold and manner OF using il. Hear His
voice." In the east the sheep are led.
not driven, and they obey the call OF
the shepherd as dogs obey their mas
ter in this land. by name \ refer
ence 10 another eastern custom, thato OF
naming the sheep as we do dogs and
horses.
). a stranger viii they not follow"
Sheep have no curiosity to follow when
they have no knowledge Of the leader.
"Will fee:" Fearing danger.
G. They understood not:" 1t was
not easy TO understand, but they we're
often puzzled because they were slow
to see spiritual things.
:. Then said Jesus unto them
again" Jesus repeated, with less Of
the figurative in His expressions, the
statement that had puzzled them Il
am the door" Through which the
sheep pass to safety. To Thomas lie
said afterward: Il am the way"
S. "All thieves and rob
bers:" The blind leaders OF the blind:
Z the false teachers; the prosely tiers;
: the mer who refused 20 enter the king
/ dom themselves and hindered those
: who would enter; those who even then
, were seeking to destroy the Door, Jesus
I Christ. The reference. OF course, Is
rot TO the cody teachers OF the past
: "The sheep did not hear them Bu'
5 the goats did, for they had followers
: Q. "Shall be saved" An oriental
D turn Of expression. Probably the sal
= walton referred 10 here was not for
I the shepherd. but for the sheep. though
+ II NAV be that both are included "Find
Q pasture:" 1t was the shepherd S bust
5 ness to find pasture for the flock, but
l. perhaps the flock is referred to al
above.
10. The thief l." Chris
contrasts Himself with the ravenini
wolves in sleeps clothing the destroy
G. ers whom He would resist and outwi
that He might save the flock. Nigh
have life:" To give life was His grea
- desire.
Z" ii. Good shepherds" Wise, faithful
alert. self-sacrificing. loving "Givet
] HIS lie. it thrtAlA TAA' tiAN ~ 49, - -
need 10 risk his life TO defend the fioci
Jesus offers His life for the flock, lay
!. il down in payment for their safety.
- 12. ..The wolff" Any destroyer
:. whether error. person or power.
!, l3. because lie is an hireing:
: Jesus further emphasizes the diifcrent
- between Himself and the varior
teachers who served only for gail
"Know am known" As III
:, shepherd knew the sheep and he shee
the shepherd The measure of III
knowledge is stated in the opening sci
"a tence of Verse Is.
90 IS. II lay down my life:' solen
repetition.
- 10. "Other sheep have" Gentle
bo Jesus thought goes beyond the jew
zone fold, one shepherd" In H. '
=. They shall become one flock" To- III
l. end Jesus worked and still works.
We PRACTICAL suGG EsTIoNs
Christ loves us as individuals, n
81 merely as a part Of humanity. No OF
mi Int Divine Saviour. omnisc.ent al
omnipresent. could know all His di
tie ciples by name and be present ever
~ where to hear their prayers and gra
! a them aid.
We have before us a picture OF 7
we Good Shepherd. that we may see WI
at we should accept. love and obey III
as the Shepherd Of our souls; and p
ed. ture OF the flock. that we may see he
le- we should act towards the Good She
herd.
m Jesus knows each individuals wal
ng nature and circumstances SO my
re- ministers to each exactly what he
quires.