Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-09-21

This work OF
Jesus is set forth in three aspects In
the Scriptures. In John 1911 he
speaks Of himself ms the good" Shep-
herd who giveth his life for the
sheep; and therefore he can be the
door for the sheep This answers TO
Psalm % In Hebrews 1920 we read
OF him as the great Shepherd
brought again from the dead. setting
forth his work In caring for and per-
fecting the sheep; this aspect Is also
emphasized In Psalms 20. In First
Peter 5:4. which answers 10 Psalm
"a. we read OF Jesus as the CHIEF
Shepherd coming in glory to give
crowns OF reward to the faithful
The figure OF the door not only Is
beautiful. but II illustrates a great
necessity. for when sin had separated
us from God Jesus opened the wall.
placing himself In the breach. and so
has become the door between dark
ness and light. danger and safety. sin
and holiness. despair and hope. earth
and heaven.
the certainty OF the gospel giving us
everything in one word. Salvation Is
| the great inclusive word of the gospel
gathering into itself all the redemp-
| tive acts and processes Therefore
II was perfectly natural that Paul
should say 81 am not ashamed OF the
gospel OF Christ. for II Is the power OF
| has
believeth" There is salvation for the
| past. covering the guilt and penalty OF
sin: there Is salvation for the present.
| covering the power OF sin: there is
salvation for the future covering the
| presence OF sin when We are 70 be
| perfectly conformed to the image or
Christ No wonder the redeemed sin
ner cries 'HalleluIah. what Savior"
The figure OF the text is a perpet-
| ua illustration OF the efficiency and
extensveness of salvation In Christ.
And shall go IN and out" What
| beautiful illustration OF the happy life
OF the believer and how aptly and COM
| pletely Il answers those who say
that the Christian life is life OF hon.
dage. To make such statement is to
| confess ignorance OF the very funda.
mental and primary blessing OF Chris
| tian life. for /, knows no fear and
constralnt but II experiences full Joy
and freedom indeed, The child OF
God is not bound by rule as slave
but is guided by love as a son. and the
farther he goes In HIS experience the
more he knows that there is no mar.
rowness IN Christ
And find pasture" This makes
one think OF the confidence expressed
IN Psalms 90: the Lord is my Shep-
herd shall not want. and TO realize
| that that covers every need OF the
| human soul What wealth OF provis.
ion and what generosity of supply one
| finds In Christ Paul had tested this
In Romans s:S2 he says HE that
| spared not his own son, but delivered
him up for US all. how shall he not
with him also freely give MS all
things?" And IN Philippians 41s We
read. But my God shall supply all
| your need according to his riches In
| glory by Christ Jesus" There need
be no lack OF food and rest The
Shepherd wants us To be nourIshed.
and sickly sheep nre contrary 10 his
| will
The picture OF Christ supplying our
every need Is carried into the future
where we read Revelations 1:16-17)
"They shall hunger no more: neither
thirst any more neither shall the sun
light on them. nor any heat. For the
| Lamb which Is in the midst Of the
| throne shall feed them. and shall lead
| them untol living fountains of waters:
and God shall wipe away all tears
| from their eyes" The text gives us
| still further assurance when we ara
told that We shall find pasture. Christ
| gives all we need The blessing OF
| the Christian life Is not an attainment
but an obtainment. David knew this
when he poured out his Joy In Psalms
20. Let this be your song-"l shall
| not want"
The text is really the gospel in
sentence Note its simplicity-by me
n any man enter But also It's ne
cessity-by me Just pass in by the
way OF simple faith In Christ to this
three-fold blessing OF safety. liberty
and sustenance You say you are a
great sinner. No matter: you have
great Savior Just enter by the door.
Note the Wilderness OF the gospel-any
man The only condition Ia that you
| shall realize your need.