The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-25
Sunday School
Lesson
for
August 26.
Christ the Good Shepherd

CONTEXT.-Upon receiving his sight the man
born blind of whom studied last week, be-
came a believer in Jesus, as did also his rela-
uvCS GN: 22-3S), while the PhaTisees were
stirred up TO still greater hostility. The former
argued that one who could work miracle must
be Of God but the latter urged that one who
broke the Sabbath to work a miracle must he
sinner ok; lO. The two parties were widely
separated, one holding TO the evidence Of su.
pcrnatural POWER, the other gound by legalism
In the alteration that followed Jesus declared
His mission Oy: 39), in which He recognized the
two classes. Today's lesson is an appropriate and
important continuation OF His thought Under
a most beautiful figure our Lord announces that
He will soon establish His church, composed Of
all who hear His call whether Jews or Gen.
tiles and lie presents Himself as the rghtful
head of that church, in contrast with all false
teachers
ENTERlNG.-The sheepfold is a place Of So.
curity for iocks at night. As usually construct.
cd in Oriental countries, it consists Of a low fat
building, erected on the sheltered side OF a val.
ley, and enclosed by wide stone wall A sin.
gle gate or door furnished the entrance TO the
fold through which the shepherd might lead his
flock at the close of the day. No one except a
thief or robber would attempt TO enter by
climbing the wall, inasmuch as this door was
ample for all worthy purposes, designed TO keen
out only those who were not entitled 10 admis.
sion. Our Lord makes these statements (verse.
and p for the purpose of explaining the church
the Jewish congregation and the assembly Of
New Testament believers. That church is In
tended to protect its members against the evil
that is in the world, TO give them shelter and
comfort in times of trouble. Into il there is bui
one true mode OF admittance
FOLLOWING.-The sheep do not remain con
stantly within the fold. As there is a right
way Of entering, toward the evening, so there I,
right way Of going forth in the morning Tn,
Shepherd who left his flock in safe keeping fol
the night, returns He is recognized by th,
porter, who opens the door. Then the shepherd
calls his own sheep by name, without evening en-
tering, and each one, recognizing the voice, re
spends and passes out, However many flock,
there may be in the enclosure, and however
freely they may mingle together, those onl,
who belong to him will appear. Having thu,
brought them into open field, the shepherd
does not drive or even urge; he has only to moy,
quietly on and the Hock will follows (yerse A.
There is not the slightest danger Of deceptior
or mistake in all this. The sheep will not follow
stranger, but will flee from him sfrigshtct
Cverse 81. The porter need therefore, Civ,
himself no concern on the subject lie slmpl,
opens the door and allows those to 20 who ar,
minded to do so assured that none but the righ
sheep will depart. All this was very famiiia
to Christ's hearers they had many times wit
messed such occurrences.
E2PLAINING.-WhatJe Jesus said 10 this parabl,
was plain enough but what He intended TO teach
what lesson lie would convey one of His hear
ers knew Verse o., That was not surprising
Indeed, II was His plan to awaken curiosity, hrst
by reciting something very familiar and ther
to explain and apply, concealing the sense un
Ill desire was aroused CLuke viii :lO). II am III,