Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-04-13
LESSON FOR APRIL IS
JESUS THE GOOD SHEPHERD.

This lesson. probably occurred at |
the Feast of the Tabernacle in Octo-
Der, A. D. %. The place was Jeru-
salem, perhaps in or near 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 (vv. 1-9).. Any
one who tries to get access to the
sheep any other way than through
Jesus the door is a thief and rob-
Der ". u. 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 VINO
enter; it can be closed in case of dam
ger, and is strong to protect against
storms and thieves. 1t is a means OF
separation, to insure privacy, and to
furnish means of egress. Jesus says
we are to "go in" for communion with
"go in" for strength and to "go OUT
for conflict. Verse nine IS wonder
full verse. In it we have the simple
ity of the Gospel, II am the door,"
the eXclusiveness of the Gospel, by
me-" the conditions of the Gospel, "En-
ter :" the certainty, ''Be saved" the
liberty, go in and OUT" the provis-
ion, Find pasture"
The true acceptance of Jesus leads
not to q life of fear and constraint
but to the perfect liberty of child,
satisfaction in green pastures Cps. %:
p that 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 14:6; Eph. 2:1S; Rom. Il
q Heb. 10 1922. 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 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-
! stroy.'' 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 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
sheep, and was willing to seek the lost
| (Matt. S:12). 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 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
the sight of God, but in order to be
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. 1t lives for others. Unless it
produces wool, and is good for meat,
it 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 Pet. 1:S; John
1: rs; Col. L 10; Eph. 8 1919.
Doctor Torrey has called our atten-
ton to ten points about the good Shep-
herd. ID He knows the sheep. (2)
He is known by his sheep. (3) He has
a personal interest in his sheep, calls
each by name ". 81. az He leadeth
them on. (5) He thrusts forth the
|
looks none; all are his own ". r.
W. (T He goeth before them. He
has trodden every step of the way that
they must take. (S) He careth for
the sheep ". 13). (9) He layeth down
his life for the sheep (vv. IL and 15).
(10) Giveth eternal and abundant life
to the sheep (vv. 10, %, 29).
Jesus has sheep outside of Israel ".
| 16) When these are brought in they
will all become one fold (Eph. 2:14
Is; Gal. 8 :28). 1t is through hearing
his voice that they are to be brought
The laying down Of his life was a vol
untary act On his part, but it was per-
formed in obedience to the fathers
will (See Chap. 6:38; 15:10). Jesus
intended that his relation to his fol
lowers should be exactly like that
which bound himself to the Father (See
Chap. II :21-23). Because the Father
loved him he lays down his life that
he might take it again.
If the Shepherd had remained in the
grave, what would have become ot
| the sheep?
He had power to lay it down; he has
| power to take it again.
Even SO we are to forfeit our lives
bat Christ's life has passed through
the trial, and SO he has a right to lay
it down and to take it up again.
The commandment which Jesus re
ceived from the Father was not to die
but to assume absolute authority ovel
life and death.
This love of the Good Shepherd lee
HIM to die for our sins, and to be
raised for our justification.
The first and greatest mark of the
Good Shepherd" is that he gave his
life for the sheep, thus bringing to us
salvation, and as the "Great Shepherd
of the resurrection (Heb. Is :20) We
have in him freely all things.
Ultimately as the "Chief Shepherd
q Pet. $40.