The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-09-19

IVA a. the Shepherd.
This work of
Jesus Ia set forth In three aspects In
the Scriptures. In John 1911 he
speaks OF himself a. the good" Shop
herd who givsth bis life for the
sheep; and therefore he can be the
door for the sheep. This answeBs 20
Psalm ~. In Hebrews 1890 we read
OF him a. the great" Shepherd
brought again from the dead. setting
forth his work In caring for and per
fecting the sheep; this aspect 10 also
emphasized In Psalms IS. In First
Peter So. which answers TO Psalm
~. 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 IL
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 90
has become the door between dark.
ness and Hight. 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 ID
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 Il am not ashamed Of the
gospel OF Christ. for II Is the power Of
God unto salvation 70 everyone that
believeth." There is salvation for the
past. covering the guilt and penalty OF
sin; there 10 salvation for the present.
covering the power Of SIN: there is
salvation for the future. covering the
presence OF sin when we are 10 be
perfectly conformed to the image OF
Christ No wonder the redeemed sin
ner cries 'Hailelujsh. what a saviori-
The figure Of the text 10 a perpet-
ual illustration Of the efficiency and
circumstances Of salvation In Christ.
And shall 90 In and out" What a
beautiful illustration OF the happy life
OF the believer and how aptly and COM
pletely II answers those who say
that the Christian life is a life of bon
dage. To make such a statement 10 TO
confess ignorance Of the very funda-
mental and primary blessing OF Chris
tian life. for II knows no fear and
constraint but II experiences full Joy
and freedom indeed. The child Of
God is not bound by rule az a slave
but 10 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 ind pasture" This makes
one think OF the confidence expressed
In Psalms Is; 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 $3.50 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
thingsY" And In Philippians 4.ls we
read. But my God shall supply all
your need according 10 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
win.
The picture Of Christ supplying our
every need IL carried into the future
where We read Revelations 7:16-i7)
They shall hunger no more: neither
thirst any more; neither shall the sun
light on them. nor any heat For the
Lamb which 10 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 ind pasture. Christ
gives all We need. The blessing OF
the Christian life is not an attainment
but an obtainment David knew this
when be poured out his JOY in Psalms
rs. Let this be your song---T shall
not want"
The text is really the gospel In q
sentence. Note Its simplicity-by me
II any mas enter. But also It's ne
csssity-by me. Just pass In by the
way Of simple faith In Christ 10 this
thrse-fold blessing OF safety. liberty
and sustenanoe. You say you are .
great sinner. No matter: you have .
great Savior. Just enter by the door.
Note the Wilderness OF the gospsl-any
man. The only condition IL that zoo
shall realize your need.