CHRIST IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

FRIDAY, 23RD JUNE, 2023.

By PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE – General Overseer

TOPIC: CHRIST IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD 

MEMORIZE: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." John 10:11.

SCRIPTURE READING: John 10:7-16

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13  The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”

EXPOSITION:

Christ is a good shepherd, and not as a hireling. There were many that were not thieves, aiming to kill and destroy the sheep, but passed for shepherds, yet were very careless in the discharge of their duty, and through their neglect the flock was greatly damaged. The word of God called some foolish shepherds, idle shepherds, Zec 11:15,17 “And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.”. In opposition to these, 

[1.] Christ here calls himself the good shepherd John 10:11, and again John 10:14, that good Shepherd, whom God had promised. Jesus Christ is the best of shepherds, the best in the world to take the over-sight of souls, none so skilful, so faithful, so tender, as he, no such feeder and leader, no such protector and healer of souls as he. 

[2.] He proves himself so, in opposition to all hirelings, as recorded in John 10:12-14.  Where observe the carelessness of the unfaithful shepherd described John 10:12-13; he that is a hireling, that is employed as a servant and is paid for his pains, whose own the sheep are not, who has neither profit nor loss by them, sees the wolf coming, or some other danger threatening, and leaves the sheep to the wolf, for in truth he careth not for them. Here is plain reference to that of the idol-shepherd, Zec 11:17. Evil shepherds, magistrates and ministers, are here described both by their bad principles and their bad practices. 

 

THEIR BAD PRINCIPLES, THE ROOT OF THEIR BAD PRACTICES. 

What makes those that have the charge of souls in trying times to betray their trust, and in quiet times not to mind it? What makes them false, and trifling, and self-seeking? It is because they are hirelings, and care not for the sheep. That is, 

(a.) The wealth of the world is the chief of their good; it is because they are hirelings. They undertook the shepherds' office, as a trade to live and grow rich by, Not as an opportunity of serving Christ and doing good. It is the love of money, and of their own bellies, that carries them on in it. Not that those are hirelings who, while they serve at the altar, live, and live comfortably, upon the altar. The labourer is worthy of his meat; and a scandalous maintenance will soon make a scandalous ministry. But those are hirelings that love the wages more than the work, and set their hearts upon that, as the hireling is said to do, Deuteronomy 24:15 (See 1 Samuel 2:29; Isa 56:11; Micah 3:5,11).

(b.) The work of their place is the least of their care. They value not the sheep, are unconcerned in the souls of others; their business is to be their brothers' lords, not their brothers' keepers or helpers; they seek their own things, and do not, like Timothy, naturally care for the state of souls. What can be expected but that they will flee when the wolf comes. He careth not for the sheep, for he is one whose own the sheep are not. In one respect we may say of the best of the under-shepherds that the sheep are not their own, they have not dominion over them nor property in them (feed my sheep and my lambs, saith Christ); but in respect of dearness and affection they should be their own. Paul looked upon those as his own whom he called his dearly beloved and longed for. Those who do not cordially espouse the church's interests, and make them their own, will not long be faithful to them. 

 

THEIR BAD PRACTICES, THE EFFECT OF THESE BAD PRINCIPLES, John 10:12. 

(a.) How basely the hireling deserts his post; when he sees the wolf coming, though then there is most need of him, he leaves the sheep and flees. Those who mind their safety more than their duty are an easy prey to Satan's temptations. 

(b.) How fatal the consequences are! The hireling fancies the sheep may look to themselves, but it does not prove so: the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep, and woeful havoc is made of the flock, which will all be charged upon the treacherous shepherd.  The blood of perishing souls is required at the hand of the careless watchmen. Therefore, the shepherds of the Living God, awake to your responsibilities in order to receive the blessings of the Great Shepherd – Jesus Christ. Jesus is the true Shepherd. 

PRAYER POINT: Lord help me to be faithful to you and your work in my hand in Jesus name.

DAILY BIBLE READING IN A YEAR –  Psalms 103-105.

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ANCHOR OF LIFE is the daily devotional guide written by PASTOR DR. SAMUEL AYORINDE. It is an extraction of God’s word designed to draw the sincere seekers closer to God on a daily basis through an insightful exposition and analysis of God’s Word. Read, Meditate, Pray and Share this message to others. For prayers, Counseling and further enquiries, call or whatsapp +2347032993319; +2348056130469. Or Email: anchoroflifeministry@gmail.com   For more of our Daily Devotional Messages, visit our website: http://www.anchoroflifeintl.blogspot.com