John 10:12-16
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Just like any shepherd, He will take care of our needs and keep us safe from danger. Just like sheep, we should follow our Good Shepherd. The audience Jesus was talking to here would have understood that reference pretty clearly; in this case Jesus went even further and informed then that He Himself was the shepherd being referred to. He also took the reference in a completely new direction. Speaking to a Jewish audience, Jesus referred to sheep, “which are not of this fold.”
Here Jesus made one of his earliest allusions to the fact that salvation was not just for the Jews, but for the whole world! Whether or not the Jews He was speaking to understood this or not is an open question, but the fact that He came to save the entire world is not. If the Jews had fully understood that, they would have been shocked. To them, being God’s chosen people meant by default that non-Jews, the Gentiles were NOT chosen.
Even today, we often have a tendency to think some are not called by our Lord, or even worthy of His call. This is simply not true. Jesus wants all the sheep of the world, those lost in sin and wandering aimlessly, to be part of His flock. No matter who we are, where we are or what our backgrounds are He will be our shepherd and lead us safely to eternity if we only hear His voice and respond.
October 30, 2017 at 08:20
Isaiah 51:4 makes clear that His chosen people were to be a light to the nations.
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October 30, 2017 at 09:30
Very nice, Don. I appreciate your extra insights into the Old Testament. Hang around, we made need them more later in the week!
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October 30, 2017 at 10:56
At your service, Buddy.
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October 30, 2017 at 11:46
Thanks my friend!
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October 30, 2017 at 08:47
I love that verse. Thanks for the reminder.
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October 30, 2017 at 09:29
It’s one of my favorite’s also, Keith. Thanks for coming by!
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October 30, 2017 at 09:37
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
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October 30, 2017 at 09:49
Good one Wally, sheep are the most appropriate example of man, foolish, foolhardy, stubborn creatures, bent on going their own way. Let one get through a fence and the rest will follow, get several holes in the fence, they’ll start groups, Pentecostals, Presbyterians, Baptists, you name it 🙂 Now you know me well enough to understand I mean no malice here, as I know you are Baptist. I am simply utilizing the analogy to show how the nature of man is so well seen in sheep, so apt to go astray from the fold. God bless all who are called by His name, regardless of their denomination. I am so glad He never gave up on me when I was astray, not just once in my life either, we have this propensity to do our own thing even if it means destruction. Just, like sheep.
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October 30, 2017 at 09:57
Ha, no offense taken my friend. The analogy makes perfect sense. I will add that the groups themselves are not the problem, but their following of different shepherds can be a big problem.
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October 30, 2017 at 10:06
You are right about that, the real problem of that is it divides the body of Christ, when The Lord really wants us to have unity. At the same time, if one group thinks one thing is right and another thinks the opposite is right, you have division. There is coming a time though when God will make this right.
Ephesians 1:7–10 (ESV)
7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
Then and only then, only what is truly true will survive. Delivered into glorious unity, then and only then.
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October 30, 2017 at 10:15
I don’t think that in and of themselves denominational works are bad, I believe Amos said the saying about “except two be in accord, how can they walk together.” Paraphrased LOL as I am on the road. But we form groups of those with whom we are like minded, and that promotes harmony in those local churches. So, it’s not always bad. We won’t, as you said, have full unity until we are there with Him.
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October 30, 2017 at 10:44
It is probable that God’s revealed truth is seen only in part by different groups, just as no man sees the whole picture, simply parts. I certainly wish I could see it all, but alas, I’m human. At the same time God never created the divisions we see today.
Acts 11:25–26 (ESV)
25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. This unique group, unified for His purposes gradually succumbed to pressures to diversify into other groups, perhaps to display varying attributes of truth that no one group has, perhaps because of the hardness of mans’ hearts. I can’t answer that because I do not know. But God does, and He is going to make everything right. Praise God for that. We’ll have to have a cup of coffee together on the other side and discuss this some more, we’ll have a much clearer picture then. 🙂
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October 30, 2017 at 10:46
Amen
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October 30, 2017 at 10:52
Heh heh, that’s a yes on the coffee then? 🙂
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October 30, 2017 at 11:47
Yes. You know my wife and I debate that. I love my coffee, and remain convinced that I see no reason, since our bodies will be real, that our Lord would not allow us to enjoy it eternally. Who know, though right?
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October 30, 2017 at 11:01
Imagine the fellowship we’ll have then, sin no longer a problem, resurrected, with resurrected minds, in the unity of the Spirit. We’ll enjoy the fellowship of all who have been deemed righteous since time began, fulfilling His plan through eternity. Wow, I can hardly wait. 🙂
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October 30, 2017 at 11:46
You know…part of me can’t wait. Part of me says not enough people are ready yet.
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October 30, 2017 at 12:07
Ready or not, when He says it’s time it’ll happen. 🙂 You know when God created all the wonderful things we enjoy, coffee being only one of them, He said it was good. Eating and drinking will not be the focal part of eternity, yet they will undoubtedly be a part of our life then. Can you imagine God redeeming His creation and not redeeming all things that He said were good, things that man brought the curse upon. I just don’t see that.
Mt 26:29
29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Revelation 19:9 (ESV)
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” (Ever see a supper without any food?)
Revelation 22:2 (ESV)
2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
I imagine all foods will be there, redeemed from the effects of man’s sin.
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October 30, 2017 at 12:10
I concur
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October 30, 2017 at 13:30
Such an amazing and encouraging thought–God’s grace! Thanks for this post!
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October 30, 2017 at 17:42
What a wonderful message!
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October 30, 2017 at 17:43
Thanks. Sort of exploring the theme this week. Stay tuned
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October 30, 2017 at 23:22
I’ll look forward to it!
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October 31, 2017 at 01:01
Good word, my friend
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October 31, 2017 at 04:15
Thank you, Bill
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