Jesus is the Shepherd of the Sheep
Pastor Maselo Mosomane
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them” John 10:1-6
God chose Mary to conceive and give birth to Jesus as it is written; “therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me” Hebrews 10:5 Though Jesus is the second Person of the Holy Trinity, He humbled Himself and subjected Himself to the limitations of the flesh and became one with us. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14 Jesus entered into the world sheepfold by the door.
He took flesh upon Himself and entered the world. If He could have come as God; He would not have identified with us. This is a very important point to remember. John the Apostle in 1John 4:2-3 says; “Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God”
The same is true with us. We are spirits; we have souls and we live in bodies. It is through our bodies that we have appearance here on earth. Although the body limits us to time, space and distance; without it, we would not have a license to exist here on earth. How did we get our bodies? By being born; yes, by entering the earth through the passage of birth. We have all the rights to be here.
We said Jesus who is the second Person of the Holy Trinity took flesh upon Himself and became one with us. Jesus, who is also God, came and lived among us. Don’t forget what the Angel said to Joseph; “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us. The Angel was reminding Joseph what the prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 7:14 many years ago.
The whole concept as explained; gave Jesus a special place on earth. Though He became one with us; He remained God; hence the name Immanuel. Jesus was GOD – MAN. (The Son of God; the Son of Man) This elevated Him to the position above man. HE BECAME A SHEPHERD OF MAN. “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” Matthew 9:36
Friend; if Jesus is the Shepherd, there must be some flock somewhere. A shepherd tends the flock. We are the sheep of His flock and He is our Shepherd. Psalm 23 says “The Lord is my shepherd” (give yourself time and read it all)
Sheep are domesticated animals and need a shepherd to care for them. They are vulnerable and should never be without a shepherd. Of course when one tends the sheep, some stray and get lost. It is risky for them to be out there on their own. Wolves and jackals are hungry and their best meal is short ribs, mutton stew and lamb neck. They catch and scatter the flock.
The problem today is that there are a lot of sheep that do not have a shepherd or a sheepfold. They are out there on their own. They are daily harassed by wolves and jackals. Some are dying; some are injured already. They are trying it all by themselves and it does not work. The bible says; “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way” Isaiah 53:6
Today, if you hear His voice; don’t harden your heart and stiffen your neck. Jesus is a good shepherd. Adhere to His voice when He calls “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
His “sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. What a wonderful thing it is to know the voice of your Shepherd. You are never a nobody with Him. He knows you by your name and leads you out and let you to lie down in green pastures. You are never on your own. He is always there to take care of you and comfort you when you hurt.
Friend; I am appealing to you today. Make Jesus Shepherd of your life. He sees you as a sheep without a shepherd straying away and wants to save your life from the wolves that catch and scatter the flock. He loves you so much. He says; “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10 The reason He is calling you is that you may have life, and have it more abundantly.
My friend, right where you are right now; will you sincerely open your mouth and pray this prayer asking God to list you among His flock? He is faithful and just to forgive you and allow you to start all over again. He loves you. Let’s pray.
Dear God
I’ve just read that You are a good Shepherd
All the time I’ve been thinking You are angry with me
I never thought you could show interest in me
I’ve been wandering out there as a lost sheep
It’ s true; I’m a sinner; I’ve been really bad
Forgive me and enlist me in your flock
Bring me also into your sheepfold
I now believe everything you said about Jesus
I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord
I believe in my heart that you raised Him from the dead
I welcome Him as my Lord; my Savour and my Shepherd today
I now put my trust in Him. Jesus; You are Lord
Amen
If you’ve prayed this prayer,send us an email so that we can pray for you; calling you by your name. God be with you.
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