The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-25

knowledge, far surprising the knowledge of any
ordinary pastor a knowledge Of two kngss.
First, lie knows the sheep and is known by
them. lie can distinguish them in the great
multitude OF humanity wherever found, under
whatever conditions tvcrse li) They will dis.
tingush Him, listen to His call respond prompt
ly, and follow where lie leads. Second, lie
knows the Father, and is known in return.
(Matt, ri: 27) That fact marks an intimate
lation of paternal and lial love, the reciprocal
act Of the two persons Of the Godhcad. These
two knowlcdges, the one human, the other hi
vine, the necessary outcome OF the unique per-
sonality Of Jesus, explain His self.sacrificc
(yerse l5). II is because lie knows God and
knows man that lie lays down His life for man.
lie could not he a Saviour without both kinds Of
knowledge. (Matt. /: eO.21) No one will die
that another may live who is not moved by SYM
pathy for the one in peril and by tho hope Of a
possible rescue from peril
BRINGING. Having announced Himself, Ills
nature and Office Jesus next seeks 10 correct GER
tain erroneous views concerning His hock The
Jews had regarded themselves as the tavorites
of heaven, because Of their descent from Ahra-
ham CTohn viii, 3O, not understanding that the
| covenant with the eminent patriarch was for the
good of the race (Gcn. xii: y, Neither did
they know that the Messiah, at his coming, would
extend the kingdom Of heaven, inviting men Of
| all nations into it Qst. ii: p. Hence our Saw
iour declared that His sheep were not all Jews
lisa. lyi: s., but that lie had some in other
folds, under other systems Of religion. Here
| is an express acknowledgement that heathenisn
bad as it was had furnished some spiritual nur-
ture and care for some who belong to Christ
Gohn i: %, liberality greater than is mani.
| Tested by the average followers of Christ in our
day And yet, out Of all these separate folds
Jewish and GENTLE, shall be gathered the true
| lock under the Good Shepherd, making one fold
Verse l6) an event foreseen by the prophet
| (Ezek. xAxvi: 23), and declared aitervard by the
apostle Gph. II: lD.
| CONCLUSION.-See now what we learn about
| Jesus in this lesson from His own lips. lie is
the door or entrance way into the church. Any
other protesting TO hold that position is an i'm.
posor. lie is the Good Shepherd or Bishop who
| cares for those who enter the church; protects
them, saves them, loves them leads them, dies
for them. He is no thief seeking what is not
His own; hireling, serving another for wages;
but a good, faithful Shepherd, who sacrifices
| Himself in order TO save. He is intimately re-
lated 20 God and to His people; that double re-
lation being the key TO His mission. See what
Jesus says about the church. 1t is not build.
ing or body organized by men, but a company
called by Him, known by Him, knowing Him,
following Him, gathered out Of all the races, but
united in Him as their one loved and loving
leader, whom they followed always with prompt,
ness and gladness. This is what the passage
teaches. The men who laud Christ and do not
| acknowledge His divinity after such words Of His
are in a perpleXing dilema. II He was not dl.
vine then He was egotist and an enthusiast.
II He gathers people TO Himself upon these
teims Of loyalty He proves Himself before the
world master OF mepi worthy 70 be followed.