Shepherd and Sheep!

Shepherd and Sheep!

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 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. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 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. John 10: 11 - 16 KJV

Fairly long piece, but the lessons are worth it. First, no man is called a shepherd, except God alone. The sheep are all his. He only calls men and entrusts the sheep into their hands. That's a solemn reminder that an account will be demanded from all such men/women from the owner of the sheep. Don't be too much in a hurry to appropriate sheep to yourself. You don't own any, and you don't call any. You are yourself sheep under God's watchful care, with the grace to lead others to the same knowledge and personal experience of God that you already have. It does not come with a privilege of lordship or oppression over anyone.

Secondly, only one life needs to be given, and it has already been given. Every other sacrifice is only a shadow of the real thing, and every relationship as a sheep with the shepherd must start at the point of sacrifice. That life wasn't given for nothing.

Thirdly, am I an hireling, only along for the ride, the recognition, the fame, the fortune and the awe accorded the man/woman on the pulpit? Does my life reflect one called, consecrated and  commissioned by the owner of the sheep or have I simply  positioned myself where my interests are best served?

Fourthly,  there is a testament to relationship by Jesus here, stating that he knows his own and his own knows him. It's not about what I say or think, but about the fruits of my life. Do they show any connection to the Shepherd? Remember the simple men who turned the whole city upside down in Acts of the Apostles? The one thing recorded about them was that men took note that 'they had been with Jesus'. No man changes things until he has been changed first from within. You cannot affect the external until your internal has been positively impacted.

Fifthly, lest we think that we can run a monopoly, God calls us to remembrance that in the first place, every life belongs to him. The key to heaven hasn't been placed in the exclusive preserve of any of us, so we don't get to determine who comes in or stays out. Christ isn't coming back for a denomination or sect; he's coming back for people whose lives have been washed with his blood. It's not about colour, creed or race; it's all about grace.

All of us who are alive, irrespective of the quantity of sins counted against us, or the quality of our past life, and irrespective of the position we occupy or the title we hold, are candidates passing through God's examination, with eternal life as the reward. I must be eternally grateful that God saw it fit to call me to himself, and I must be careful to remain within the fold, whilst also calling others to the blessings and benefits I have received.

May I not be one who leads others into the fold, while I am cast out into darkness at the end of my journey. Others who I think are unworthy, or not good people, will come in, because in the first place, they do not answer to me. All of us are owned by God, and his love wouldn't let go. As long as I am breathing, I am a candidate for grace.

Unfortunately, grace will expire, either by rapture or physical death, and then judgment by the Shepherd will come. The One we call Shepherd and Love today will sit as Judge, Jury and Executioner and there will be no right of appeal. While I have time, I must take advantage and join the sheepfold.  The Shepherd's arms are wide open and he calls today.  Would I heed? Would I listen? His time of favour is here.