Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-04-16
The Times-Dispatch Sunday
Sermon
'rmE siErIIEHU AND r,l,s SHEEP.
bs j.. \. l;ubank.

Ana Jesus. when lie came out. "uch
people ana was moved with compassion to-
ward them because they as sheep not
having a shepherd: and He began Ia teach
them many things--Mark vi. 81
Waving any discussion Of the merit, Of
the M"nemcnt within itself considered. tho
fact stands out in bold historical relief that
Jesus OF Nazareth crucitci because He
tautht closer union between tho people
and God. and made IL plain 20 them that as
Ruler and Creator OF the univcrs., Ills rtovi-
denCc always ovcrshadows them. He taught
N" Fathcrhood OF God and II. brotherhood,
OF man. That is. He taught and used every
reSurc" at lis command Impress upon
them the vitalizing truth that God is tire
. Loving Father Of all. and al humanity *
Tree to claim the incxhaustibic treasures Of
His love
The theology Of tho age whether bv dc
sign or not. had obscured from the minds
"f IN" masses this fundamental truth tho
recognition OF which is vital to the happi-
ness OF every one. Without stopping To dis
cuss the motive for the pondcrous ;heologics
OF IN" period "srievous burdens" the Mas
ter termed them il is sufficient To yuryest
that those who upheld them may have been
a'tnat"d by considerations similar to those
which moved pcinctrius and his fellow crafts
men of Ephcsus when lie said 'Sirs We
know that by this craft have our wealth.
We're as sheep not having a shepherd -
What can he moro expressive Of tho relation
EXISTING between man and God than this
sunni" OF the shepherd and the sheep? There
arc wv" fundamental ideas contained In it
IN" 'h'a or dependence and the idea OF power
and love and guardianship.
This is exactly tho attitude Of man ia COD
ana OK God to man. Like tho sheep man
d""S not fully comprehend his great Guar
"'"n. lie only knows when he realizes tho
relationship existing. that lie is loving and
'""'r ana watchfui. And lie knows also
4.
sheep cannot comprehend tho being or shon
h'r"' man cannot comprehend tho being OF
zoo Hut IN" sheep can understand tho fac,
'h"t TN" shepherd docs exist and Shepherds
MINI and man can accept the s,,rpasstnr
ruin of tn" Fathcrhood Of God. lie cannot
Nt,'"'' '"' inc everlasting arms there
and n" must accept them
80. seeing the multitudes moving ohou, T.,
confused sort OF way as sheep without
shepherd Jesus was moved with COMMISSION
ana ""ran to teach them many thinp<
h''SSc" Is the man. though In "a dcscr,
"ih''' az these people were who TURNS :,
.Hc Great Teacher FOR instruction, Though
ia Sc teachers had taken away from, tho NM
we 'he key ~ knowledge, Jesus awav GU,
'h'rc IN IN" desert unlocks to them the crc.,
S'or en""se' mat their hearts NIGH, bc
comforted. being knit together in 10y. an,
unto all riches Of tho full assurance Of nm.
"ers'ah"'nS' to the Acknowledgement OF the
mystery of God. and TO the Father and ~
'hr's'' in whom are hid all the treasures
OF wisdom and Knowledge"
ana inc further record shows that whom.
"' nay was Tar spent In teaching tho peo-
IN" inc discipi"s came unto Him and said
rms Is desert place and now the limo ia
'"r passed send them away, that they may
go INTO the country round about ana into
inc villages. and buy themselves bread. ,or
'hey nave nothing to eat" How weak cvep
s.. Is inc faith OF those who have bean
r,,', ."e master from the first to grasp the
fui!ness of tho providence OF God.
Give yc them to cat" And that &, 49,
command that has come down through twcn
W centuries. This means more ,ba, ~,
'"Fi"i 1000 The life is more than men,
an" inc body is more than raimen," The
h"'''uoe Is stu hunEcrng for the thInps
'VH"S commanded His disciples to feed them
"'h' ana the command Is as binding on JIis
'"ehueth century disciples AZ on those who
were WIN Him in tho desert place"