Arizona sun., 1947-02-21

LESSEN TEXT-JOhn 1O:1.l6.
MEMORY SELECTION-I am the good
shepherd: the good shepherd giveth MS
life for the sheep.-John 1O:11.
An open door! How inviting! Jesus
had just been talking to the man
once blind (John 81 who had seen
the temple door closed against him.
It shut him out from all the sacred
traditions of his people, but it turned
him to Jesus, who presents himself
in our lesson as ''the door OF the
sheep"
1. The Door of the Sheep (vv. Z
1O.
The preceding verses Of chapter
10 are important, for they identity
Jesus as the true Shepherd. He
speaks of his people as his sheep.
Flocks were sometimes kept In
the field at night, as was the case
on the night when Jesus was born
in Bethlehem. But ordinarily they
were brought into sheepfold.
where many fiocks gathered for pro-
lection. A shepherd was on guard at
the door. Thieves would climb the
wall to steal sheep, but the true shep-
herds, when they came in the morn
ing to lead forth their flocks, en-
tered by the door. They called out
their own flock by name.
1t is said that only sick sheep will
follow a stranger, which may ex-
plain why so many false isms OF our
day appeal to the sick and lead them
away from the Good Shepherd.
Do you know his blessed voice?
Have you responded to his call?
Will you follow him? Decide now.
Consider the beautiful figure Of the
shepherd as the door of the sheep
fold. When the sheep enter the fold
to rest, he is the door. When they
are ready to 60 out to feed in green
pastures again, he is the door.
Note that they go in and out. Be-
longing to Christ is not bondage.
II any man enter in by Christ, the
Door, he is free to 60 in and out,
to find pasture, to live for and to
serve him.
1.-THE Door"-what a striking fig
ure! 1t is a means of entry, the
only way in. Every door has two
sides and the side we are on de-
termines whether we are inside or
outside-saved or lost. Children Oft
en- sing:
Zone Door and only one,
And yet its sides are two
Inside and outside;
On which side are you?"
Then repeating the two first lines
comes the direct testimony and
question,
II am on the inside;
On which side are you?"
II. The Keeper of the Sheep (vv.
11-13).
We think of sheep as peacefully
grazing on the hillside-an idyllic
picture in the summer sunshine. But
there were dangers to meet. It is
so with Christ's sheep too, and then
he is there to keep them. The wolves
come out as the shadows gather.
They come to kill and to scatter.
Where then is the shepherd? If he
is only a hireling, serving for what
may ''be in it. for him, he will f1ee
How perfectly this pictures relig-
ious leaders, who, in spite of their
swelling words and ingratiating
manners, desert the flock in the hour
of adversely. Fair-weather friends
are they, who disappear when dark
ness and danger appear.
In the darkest hour Jesus is near
est at hand. He never fails. He
has no fear, for has he not tasted
the bitter death of Cavalry's tree
for you and me? He is the Good
Shepherd. He gave his life for the
sheep. Those who have put their
trust in him shall never be put to
shame.
III. The Saviour of the Sheep (vv.
1919.
He laid down his life for the sheep.
All, yes. it is all too true that evil
men laid wicked hands on him and
crucified him. Their guilt is awful.
But it is clear from Scripture that
until the hour had come for Jesus
to be made sin for the redemption
Of man, they could not touch him
(see Luke 4:29, 30; John $3.50.
When the time came, Christ laid
down his life in accord with 1.-The de-
terminate counsel and foreknowl-
edge of Cod (Acts 2:23). He died
for us, not as a martyr to a cause,
or the victim of an accident or mis-
carriage Of justice. but willingly,
and for the glory of God.
Yes, he died for us~ but he also
died for every lost soul who will
hear his voice. There are "other
sheep about whom the Lord is deep.
ly concerned. Are we?
He must bring" them-but re.
member, God works through yielded
believers-through men and women.
We ought to be eager instruments in
his hands to reach these other
sheep, whatever their race, creed,
or condition.
Do not miss the note of unity in
uarco 1R t"Thnrn shall he ono fold -