New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1917-04-13
LESSON FOR APRIL IS
JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD
LESSON TEXT-John 1O:7-17.

LESSON TEXT-John 10:7-17.
GOLDEN TEXT am the good Shep-
herd: the good Shepherd giveth His life
for the sheep.-John 1911.
This lesson probably occurred at
the Feast of the Tabernacle in Octo-
Der, A.. d. 20. The place was Jeru-
salem, perhaps in or lear the temple.
Facts, pictures and illustrations re-
garding 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. 1-0).. Any
one who tries to get access to the
sheep any other way than through
Jesus the door Is a thief and a rob-
Der ". y. 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 arouses suspicion. 1t is also a
means of safety to control those who
enter 1t can be closed in case of dan
ger, and is strong to protect against
storms and thieves. 1t Is a means Of
separation. to insure privacy, and to
furnish a means of egress. Jesus says
we are to Ego In" for communion with
God, and to "gO out" for service, to
Ego in" for strength and to Ego out"
for conflict. Verse nine Is n wonder
full verse. In it we have the simple
ity of the Gospel, 81 am the door,"
the exclusiveness Of the Gospel, "By
me-" the conditions Of the Gospel, "En-
ter in :" the certainty, "Be saved; !" the
liberty, $50 in and out :" the provis-
ion, Find PASTURE"
The true acceptance Of Jesus leads
not to n life of fear and constraint
but to the perfect liberty Of n child.
satisfaction in green pastures Cps. %:
p hat never fail (Rev. 7:16-1O. 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 IA IS; Eph. 2:1S; Rom. 81
.; Heb. 10:19-22). BY him we enter
the roo 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 a door.
A door has no volition. 1t cannot leave
its place. A shepherd can go in and
out. A false Christ and false shep-
herd are really thieves and robbers
who come to "Steal and kill and de-
On the other hand. Jesus
mission was a glorious one, 81 came
that they might have life, and that
they might have it more abundantly."
AS a good Shepherd (1) 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
and was willing to seek the lost
Matt. 1912. He also had conf
dence, due to his knowledge Of God ".
14). This is not audacity but quiet
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 di-
rect our efforts. Sunday school teach
ers who are following in the steps Of
The master, and who perform the acts
Of a good shepherd, must pay the
price of knowledge. (2) Jesus had
character ". 15). He was right in
he sight of God, but in order to be
light in the sight of God he must also
De right in the sight Of men. God ex-
results. The church expects re-
suits from us. The parents who trust
heir children to teaching expect
A sheep does not live for IT.
self. 1t lives for others. Unless 1t
PRODUCES wool, and is good for meat,
t has existed in vain; so God, man
md the church expect Of us, as under
that we shall produce re-
'ults. This we do not have to do in
'ur W strength for any of us may
AVE the life which Is abundant" and
The question is, have we this super
Ibundant life? (See l Pet. 1:S; John
rs; Col. 1:19; Eph. 3:16-19).
Doctor Torrey has called our atten-
ion to ten points about the good Shep-
lerd. (1) He knows the sheep. (2)
lie is known by his sheep. (3) He has
personal interest in his sheep, calls
ach by name ". 81. (4) He leadeth
hem n (5) He thrusts forth the
aggard sheep ". ~. (6) He over
Doks none; all are his WI ". 4 r.
y. (7) lie goeth before them. He
as trodden every step Of the way that
hey must take. (8) He careth for
he sheep ". 1877. (9) He layeth down
is life for the sheep wv. II and 15).
10Y Giveth eternal and abundant life
} the sheep wv. 10, %, 29).
Jesus has sheep outside Of Israel ".
81. When these are brought in they
ill all become one fold (Eph. 2:14, !
); Gal. 1929. 1t is through hearing s
Is voice that they are to be brought.
he laying down of his life was a vol
ntary act On his part, but it was per- (
,rmed in obedience to the fathers {
i'll (See Chap. 6:3S; Is 10Y. Jesus I
tended that his relation to his fol- |
'wers should be exactly like that {
hich bound himself to the Father (See {
hap. II :21-23). Because the Father
we'd him he lays down his life that
: might take it again. 6
If the Shepherd had remained in the q.
ave, what would have become of
sheepf
He had power to lay 1t down he has q
,wer to take 1t again. y
Even so we are to forfeit our lives, S
1t Christ's life has passed through c