Ancient shepherds went before their flocks. A flock knew its shepherd's voice and would follow only him. Often for protection flocks were lodged together at night and separated in the morning when the shepherds called their flocks by name. They provided their flocks with water and food. They knew each sheep and lamb. When one was lost, they went out to find it. Small lambs and sheep unable to keep up with the flock, were often carried next to a shepherd's breast inside the fold of his outer garment. The shepherd also protected his flock, risking his life if necessary. - Ps. 23:2; Jer. 31:10; Ezek. 34:12; Luke 15:4-5; Is. 40:11; Amos 3:12; John 10:12 -
In the Old Testament God is often called a shepherd. Leaders of God's people called shepherds too. Poor and wicked leaders, rebellious against God are called irresponsible shepherds who desert, mislead and misfeed God's flock. - Num. 27:17; 1Kin. 22:17; Jer. 23:1-4 -
God is often called a shepherd. King David used this beautiful metaphor for God in Psalm 23. The prophet Isaiah used the same image, probably with Psalm 23 in mind, comparing God's care of Israel to a shepherd feeding his flock and bearing lambs in 'his bosoms'. According to prophet Jeremiah, God the shepherd protected His flock. while the prophet Ezekiel spoke of the divine shepherd who seeks out His flock.
In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ declared that He is the good shepherd who cares for, protects and redeems His flock - the people of God. Jesus is a good shepherd who suffers for the sheep, lambs and divides His own from the goats at the 'Day of Judgment'.
After psalms had been sung they left for the Mount of Olives. Then, Jesus said to them, 'You will all lose faith in me this night, for the scripture says: I shall strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered, but after my resurrection I shall go before you to Galilee'. At this, Peter said, 'Though all lose faith in you, I will never lose faith'. Jesus answered him, 'I tell you solemnly, this very night before the cock crows, you will have disowned me three times'. - Matt. 26:30-34 -
'I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but gets in some other way is a thief and brigand. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the flock; the gatekeeper lets him in, the sheep hear his voice, one by one he calls his own sheep and leads them out. When he has brought out his flock, he goes ahead of them and the sheep follow because they know his voice. They never follow a stranger but run away from him: they do not recognise the voice of strangers'.
Jesus told them this parable but they failed to understand what he meant by telling it to them.
So Jesus spoke to them again:
I tell you most solemnly,
I am the gate of the sheepfold.
All others who have come
are thieves and brigands;
but the sheep took no notice of them.
I am the gate.
Anyone who enters through me will be safe:
he will go freely in and out
and be sure of finding pasture.
The thief comes
only to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come
so that they may have life
and have it to the full.
I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep.
The hired man since he is not the shepherd
and the sheep do not belong to him,
abandons the sheep and runs away
as soon as he sees a wolf coming,
and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep;
this is because he is only a hired man
and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd;
I know my own
and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me
and I know the Father;
and I lay down my life for my sheep.
And there are other sheep I have
that are not of this fold,
and these I have to lead as well.
They too will listen to my voice,
and there will be only one flock,
and one shepherd. - John 10:1-16 -
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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