The Raymer enterprise., 1912-08-22

~ ~ 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 answers to
Psalm 20. 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 6:4. 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 great
necessity. for when sin had separated
US from God Jesus opened the wall.
placing himself In the breach, and 80
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
It 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
belleveth." 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 to be
perfectly conformed to the Image Of
Christ. No wonder the redeemed sin.
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 80 In and out" What a
beautiful Illustration Of the happy life
Of the believer and how aptly ahi com.
pletely 1t answers those who say
that the Christian life is 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 1t 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
farthe. 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 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 tha.
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. Tho
Shepherd wants us to be .nourlshed.
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 7.16lD
"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 lis
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 no poured out his Joy In Psalms
20. Let this be your song-"I shall
not want"
The text is really the gospel In a
sentence. Note Its simplicity-by me
n any man enter. But also its no.
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
great sinner. No matter; you have q
great Savior. Just enter by the door,
Note the wideness Of the gospel-any
man. The only condition Is that You
Ihall realize your neod.