The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-08-23

MAMzEA XA as the Shepherd.
This work of
Jesus is set forth in three aspects in
/ the Scriptures. In John 10:11 he
speaks OF himself as 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 23. In First
Peter 5:4, which answers to 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 it 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.
He shall be saved" Here we have
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
1t was perfectly natural that Paul
should say 'T am not ashamed OF the
gospel of Christ, for it ~ the power of
God unto salvation to everyone that
believeth." There is salvation for the
past, covering the guilt and penalty of
SIM there is salvation for the present
covering the power of sin; there is
salvation for the future, covering the
presence Of sin v@en we are to be
perfectly conformed TO the image of
| Christ. No wonder the redeemed sin
ner cries "Hallelujah, what Savior!"
The figure Of the text is a perpet-
ual illustration OF the efficiency and
eXtensiveness Of salvation in Christ
"And shall go in and out" What a
beautiful illustration of the happy life
Of the believer and how aptly and COM
| pletely it answers those who say
that the Christian life is a life of bon
! dage To make such a statement Is TO
| confess ignorance of the very funda-
mental and primary blessing of Chris
| tian life. for it knows no fear and
| constraint but It experiences full joy
and freedom indeed. The child OF
! God is not bound by rule as a slave
! but is guided by love as 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 %; the Lord is my Shep-
| herd | shall not want, and 10 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 us all
things?" And In Philippians 4.19 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 are contrary to his
will.
The picture OF Christ supplying our
every need is carried into the future
where we read Revelations 7:16-1D
"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 are
told that we shall find pasture. Christ
gives all we need. The blessing o:
the Christian life is not an attainment
but an obtainment David knew this
when he poured out his Joy in Psalms
%. Let this be your song-"I shall
not want"
The text is really the gospel In a
sentence. Note It's simplicity-by me
~ any man enter. But also its ne
cessity-by me. Just pass in by the
way OF simple faith in Christ 10 this
,hree.fold blessing of safety. liberty
and sustenance. You say you are a
great sinner No matter; you have a
ereat Savior. Just enter by the door.
Note the wideness OF the gospel--any
man The only condition is that you
shall realize your need.