The Tupelo journal., 1912-12-27

- as the Shepherd.
This work of
Jesus is set forth in three aspects in
the Scriptures. In John 1911 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 w to
Psalm q. In Hebrews 1879 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 %. In First
Peter ga. which answers to Psalm
"a. We read Of Jesus a. the "Chief'
Shepherd coming In glory to give
crowns of reward to the faithful.
The figure Of the door not only 10
beautiful. but 1t illustrates q great
necessity, for when sin had separated
W from God Jesus opened the wall.
placing himself in the breach. and 80
has become the door between dark
nes 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 10
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 II am not ashamed Of the
gospel of Christ, for 1t is the power OF
God unto salvation to everyone that
believeth." There Is salvation<A the
ptst, covering the guilt and penaiWsof
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 to be
perfectly conformed to the image Of
Christ. No wonder the redeemed sim
ner cries "Hallelujah. what a 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
rletely it answer 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 nc 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 a SON., and the
farther he goes in his experience the
more he knows that there is mo- nar.
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 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:32 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 OF
the Christian life Is not an attainment
but an obtainment. David knew this
when he poured out his Joy in Psalma
g. Let this be your song-"I shall
not want"
The text is really the gospel IA q
sentence. Note It's simplicity me
II any man enter. But also IT. ne
cessity-by me. Just pass IN BIZ the
way of simple faith in Christ 70 thia
three-fold blessing OF safety. liberty
and sustenance. You say you are
great sinner. No matter: you have
great Savior. Just enter by the door
Note the Wilderness of the gospel-anJ
nan. The only condition Is that yos
shall realize your need.