Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 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 %. In Hebrews 10: 20 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
~. 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 tho 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
II was perfectly natural that Paul
should say Il am not ashamed Of the
gospel OF Christ. for It is the power Of
God unto salvation to everyone that
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 10 be
perfectly conformed to the image OF
Christ No wonder the redeemed sin
ner cries "Ballelujah. what a Savior,"
The figure OF the text is a perpet-
o. Illustration Of the efficiency and
eNtenslveness Of salvation in Christ.
He Il the door protecting us from the
hands Of the enemy from sin an It's
results. from the enticement OF the
hesh. from fear and pains of death.
He Il the Savior we need.
And shall go in and out" What a
beautiful illustration OF the happy life
OF the believer and how aptly and COM
/ pletely II answers those who saw
I that the Christian life is a life of bon
I dage- To make such a statement IA n
/ confess ignorance OF the very funda-
mental and primary blessing OF Chris
tan life. for II knows no fear and
corstralnt but Il experiences full ioy
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
I 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 to realize
that that covers every need OF the
human soul. What wealth of proyis-
ion and what generosity Of supply one
finds in Christ. Paul had tested this.
In Romans $50 he says He that
spared not his own son. but delivered
him up for rs all. how shall he not
with him also freely give us all
things" And in Philippians 41s 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 ara contrary to his
will.
We may find pasture in the willing.
acceptable. and faithful doing Of our
daily duty; IN cheerful giving TO 9th
ers: In the quiet and sometimes mis-
understood discipline OF our lives: in
caily meditation upon Gods word. in
communion with God sr a secret place
of prayer. Our range is as wide "a
Gods love and tho supply never falls.
For all things are yours: whether
Paul. or Apollos. or Cephas. or the
world. or life. or death, or things pres
ent. or things to come, all are yours:
and ys are Chrtst's; and Christ 4,
Gods"
The picture OF Christ supplying our
every need Is carried into the future
where We read Revelations 7:ieID
D A1NJ o1&+A LAASrA 10 uOfGs 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 vaters.
and God shall wipe away all tears
from their eyes" The text zives us
still further assurance when We ar,
told that We shall find pasture. Christ
I 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
20. Let this be your song-T shall
not want
The text is really the gospel In n
sentence Note its simplicity-by me
II any man enter. But also its ne
cessity-by me. Just PASS in by the
way OF simple faith In Christ to this
three-told blessing OF safety. liberty
and sustenance. You say you are a
great sinner. No matter; you have a
great Savior. Just enter by the door.
Note the Wilderness Of the gospe!-any
man. The only condition Is that yor
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