The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-14

herd: the good Shepherd giveth His life
Cor the sheep.-John 1911.
This lesson probably occurred at
the Feast Of the Tabernacle in octo-
Der, A. D. 20. The plnce was Jeru-
salem, perhaps in or near the temple.
Facts, pictures and Illustrations re-
gardlng eastern shepherd life can be
used effectively in teaching the lesson.
The true teacher must impart, develop
and protect. Jesus does all of these
things.
!. Jesus, the Door wv. 49,. Any.
one who tries to get access to the
sheep any other way than through
Jesus the door IS thief and rob-
Der ". ~. A door Is an invitation to
enter, to Investigate, to purchase, to
learn, TO meet others. 1t Is the proper
entrance. To go in through any other
way Grouses suspicion. 1t is also
means Of safety to control those who
enter; 1t can he closed in case of dam
ger, and is strong 10 protect against
storms and thieves. 1t Is n means Of
separation, to insure privacy, and to
furnish means Of egress. Jesus snys
we are to Ego in" for communion with
God, and to Ego out" for service, to
Ego In" for strength and to Ego out"
for conflict. Verse nine Is n wonder
full verse. In 1t we have the simple
tty of the Gospel, II am the door,"
the excluslveness Of the Gospel, "By
me-" the conditions of the Gospel, "En.
ter in;" the certainty, ape saved;" the
liberty, go in and OUT" the provis-
ion, "Flnd pasture"
The true acceptance of Jesus leads
not to life Of fear and constralnt
but to the perfect liberty of a child.
satisfaction in green pastures Cps. %:
p that never fail Rev. I :16-1O. The
worlds richest pasture lands are bleak
and barren wildernesses in comparison
with this. Christ Is the door to other
things not mentioned in this lesson
(see John ID 20; Eph. 2:19; Rom. 3 i
2; Heb. 10:19-22). BY him we enter
the room Of the knowledge of God.
The Christians business Is to know
God and to make him known.
II. Jesus, the Good Shepherd wv.
1919. 1t Is not enough to be door.
A door has no volition. 1t cannot leave
its place. A shepherd can go in and
out. A false Christ and false shep-
nerd are really thieves and robbers
who come to "Steal and kill and de-
stroy." On the other hand, Jesus
mission was glorious one, 81 came
that they might have life. and that
fhnV O0inht hOy,o OIL
AS a good Shepherd ~ he has cour-
age ". 12). Jesus was not only will |
ing, but actually did give his life for |
the sheep. He had love for all of the !
aheep, and was willing to seek the lost
tMatt. 1879. He also had conf |
dence, due to his knowledge of God ". |
14. This is not audacIty but quiet |
confidence due to experience. He
knows the proper pastures. He knows
where to find water for the sheep. He
knows the dangers and pitfalls along
the pathway. He knows how to d.
rect our efforts. Sunday school teach
ers who are following in the steps of
the master, and who perform the acts !
of good shepherd, must pay the |
price of knowledge. (2) Jesus had |
character ". 15). He was right in /
the sight Of God. but in order to be i
right in the sight of God he must also
be right in the sight of men. God ex-
poets results. The church expects re-
suits from us. The parents who trust |
their children to our teaching expect |
results. A sheep does not live for it.
self. It lives for others. Unless It |
produces wool, and is good for meat, !
1t has existed in vain; so God, man |
and the church expect Of US, as under |
shepherds. that we shall produce re-
suits. This we do not have to do in |
our own strength for any of us may
have the life which is abundant" and
Exceeding" and beyond measure"
The question Is, have we this super
abundant life? (See Pct / IS; John
1:15; Col. 1:19; Eph. 8 :16.19).
Doctor Torrey hns called our atten-
ton to ten points about the good Shep-
herd. d) He knows the sheep. (2)
He is known by his sheep. (3) He has
personal interest in his sheep calls |
each by name ". 81. (4) He leadeth
them on. (5) he thrusts forth the
laggard sheep ". ~. (6) he over
looks none; all are his own ". 4 R.
w. 90 He goeth before them. He
has trodden every step of the way that
they must take. (s) He careth for
the sheep ". 13). (o) He layeth down
his life for the sheep wv. IL and 15).
d0) Giveth eternal and abundant life
to the sheep wv. TO- %, 29).
Jesus has sheep outside OF Israel ".
49,. When these are brought in they
will all become one fold (Eph. . Ia,
10; Gal. 1929. It is through hearing
his voice that they are to be brought.
The laying down of his life was VOL
untary act on his part, but It was per-
Formed In obedience to the fathers
win (see Chap. e:9s; 1870. Jesus
Intended that his relation to his fol-
lowers should be exactly like that
which bound himself to the Father (see
Chap. 17:21-23).
This love OF the Good Shepherd led