The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-03-18

until desire was aroused duke vli:lO).
II am at the door," he exclaimed (rerse
y. No one may enter the church ex-
cept by coming to Christ. Whoever
attempts to come by any other method
is unworthy TO enter at all (Eph ii:tS).
If any in any former time assumed
that place-and unfortunately many
have set themselves up as heads of
the church-they were thieves and rob-
bers, seeking TO destroy the flock. and
consequently feared by the sheep tverse
81. Christ is at the door, and 1t is His
business to admit the sheep and eX-
clude all others (Gal. v:12). All who
enter by Him shall he saved tverse 81,
not merely because they entered, but
because they entered rightly. Let the
church is not n prison. AS the sheep
go in and out Of the fold, so church
members will have liberty under
Christ's guidance (Gal. v:D.
CONTRASTING Having thus shown
His relation to the church as an organ
lied body, Jesus next represents Him.
self as closely related to the individual
members i'm that body. He is the door
through which they pass and lie is the
one who cares for them as a shepherd
cares for the sheep. This change in
the figure was necessary to make the
contrast between Him and Pharisees.
They not only had false methods of en-
trance, but exercised imperfect and
even selfish and unholy care. Jesus
likened them TO the thieves who come
to kill and to destroy (verse 1o), who
would break down the wholesome reg
ulations of the fold and over-power the
keeper, and result to any violent meas
ures to accomplish their sinister pur-
pose. This was n very faithful descrip-
tion of the men who then exercised
ecclesiastical authority at Jerusalem
Matt XXiii:15). But He, the Christ,
came on benevolent errand-that men
might live John i:12), and that they
might attain unto a richer, more abun-
dant life than had been possible under
a former dispensation. And in doing
this Jesus was like a good shepherd
who sacrifices his own life in order to
save his sheep from the mouth of the
lion (verse ~, n delicate allrgiOn to
the death on the cross through the
malice of these same Pharisees.
DFSCRIBING.-The real shepherd Is
the owner of the sheep. who delights
in his possession. partly because profit
is derived therefrom and partly because
through long contact with the flock he
feels affection for the dumb animals
who confide in him. But the owner is
compelled at times to engage assistants
who work fol wages and who have
little regard for that which is commit
ted to their care. The hircling, seeing
the wolf coming. fees, leaving the sheep
to be taken and devoured Oversees -
and 13). Such persons, reCreant to
duty We're to be found in all eastern
countries Czech. kid. They were
made the subject of the severest crit
icism. BY this figure Jesus attempts
to describe those ministers of religion
who perform certain tasks for the
money consideration offered, but who
disappear when any sacrifice is de-
manded or any danger encountered
(Ezek. xxxiv:S). Such We're many Jew
ish priests. BY this reference Jesus
intended more fully to distinguish Him
self. He was no hireling, but the owner
q Cor. Vi:30), the good shepherd who
would give His life to defend His
sheep.
KNOWING. Jesus next furnishes
the basis or proof of the statement that
He is a good true shepherd and not
hireling. that His conduct is governed
not by love for wages but by love for
men whom He would save. That proof