Because of the evil
that is so prominent in our society, as parents, many times we have firmly
cautioned our children not to talk to strangers, not to play with strangers,
to be shy of strangers. When my children would ask me why, I would answer
them, "Because they might steal you away!" That usually sobered their
little minds up and caused them to understand the seriousness of the situation....
What tempts people to follow a stranger? Why? What person or group did
you and your friends "follow" when you were a teenager?
As we look at portions of John chapter 10 today, we find that it begins
with an urgent and important statement from our Lord Jesus Christ....
Vs. 1, "VERILY, VERILY I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door
into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief
and robber."
Double mention means Divine emphasis! Jesus introduces truth of tremendous
importance and urgency to us here, so listen up, ladies! What He follows
on to describe after getting our attention are symbols that He uses to
help us understand who He is and what He wants to do for us....
The first symbol Christ presents is the DOOR. He that entereth the sheepfold
not by the door is the stranger we are to be wary of! What is the door
Christ is speaking of? Himself! You see, the sheepfold was usually a somewhat
high enclosure made of rocks, with an opening in the wall for the door.
This is not a door as we know it which opens and closes on hinges. The
shepherd himself was the door and would guard the flock at night by lying
across the opening, a true picture of sacrifice, amen? Hence, the thieves
and robbers could never enter through the door to get the sheep without
the shepherd's knowledge, so they would have to climb over the wall and
enter the fold through deception. Once inside however, the false shepherds
could never LEAD the sheep as their shepherd could, so instead they must
STEAL them away....
Perhaps you've spotted somebody who is trying to climb up some other way
into the fold and act like a shepherd.... Oh, there are many ways which
false shepherds enter into the ministry today, but a TRUE shepherd has
God's approval of his methods and manners! In seeking to uphold the truth
as a leader, one must always enter through the door of truth rather than
avoid it....
Vs. 2-3, "But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth
his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out."
A true shepherd enters into the ministry by way of the Good Shepherd,
not by usurping authority and claiming for himself the position at the
door! Nor does he sneak in and steal sheep and pretend he is a shepherd....
A true shepherd has a unique relationship with his sheep and knows them
by name and calls them by name, specifically caring for and watching over
each member of his flock because he knows their natures. Have you ever
noticed how different the 12 apostles were from one another? Peter was
impulsive and outspoken, Thomas was hesitant and doubting, Andrew was
always bringing somebody to Christ, Judas wanted to "use" people to get
their money for himself. Jesus knew each of them personally and knew exactly
how to deal with them, amen?
Psalm 139:1-3, "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest
my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all
my ways."
Those who do not truly love the sheep are exempt from such depth of understanding,
they are only interested in providing for themselves and protecting themselves,
as is the character of a thief and robber. In the moment of danger, once
that criminal is discovered, he will drop the sheep and run, he has no
true love and concern for the welfare of the sheep. However, the true
shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, as did Christ! I wonder, do
you have enough spiritual discernment not to fall prey to deception, dear
lady? What will preserve you from harm, from the stranger that seeks to
draw you away from the truth and steal you from the Shepherd?
Vs. 4-5, "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them,
and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will
they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of
strangers."
Ladies, your reaction to a stranger ought to be totally opposite to that
of your shepherd! You ought to flee strangers, amen? Unfortunately, in
many churches today, believers are fleeing the voice of their God-given
shepherds!! They are too acquainted with the voice of strangers, are too
prone to entertaining lies and deceit. They have no spiritual discernment
whatsoever, therefore they do not comprehend Christ's warnings of such
matters. In this condition, they are in a very dangerous position of being
captured and destroyed by their enemy!
2 Tim. 2:26, "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of
the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."
The Bible clearly states that there are two roles when it comes to the
ministry - that of leading and that of following. The shepherd goes before
his sheep and chooses out the safest path for them, seeking out the green
pastures for their nourishment and rest, securing all that is necessary
to a successful Christian life. The sheep need to do their part and follow
the shepherd if they would receive any benefit or protection to their
lives! They are to discern their shepherd's voice, which comes by way
of submission to his leadership.
1 Thes. 5:12, "And we beseech you, brethren, to KNOW THEM which labour
among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;"
How well do you KNOW your shepherd, dear lady? Have you been trying to
get to know him better by listening to his voice and experiencing his
care, his oversight? Are you learning to love and trust him as you should
the Good Shepherd as well? The more you listen closely to and heed your
shepherds voice, the more discernment you will receive when it comes to
confrontations with strangers who would take advantage of you and exploit
you. However, if you are in the habit of closing off your ears to the
shepherd of the flock, then it is only a matter of time before you are
stolen away by someone who cares much less for you!
Vs. 6, "This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what
things they were which he spake unto them."
Many who hear the word of Christ, do not understand it, because they will
not! How about you, dear lady, do you understand what has been said today??
Think of yourself as a sheep for a moment... Now, how would you describe
your relationship with Christ, the Good Shepherd? What kind of a relationship
do you have with your human shepherd, your pastor? Are you thankful he
knows you by name, is acquainted with your nature and knows exactly how
to deal with you? Will you listen to and follow a stranger's voice and
be stolen away? What is it that would tempt you to do so? Could it be
you just don't want any authority over your life?? Don't like anybody
"watching over" you, perhaps? Jesus sums this parable up the same way
He began it - with a double mention....
Vs. 7, "VERILY, VERILY, I say unto YOU, I am the DOOR of the sheep."
It's impossible to remain neutral when it comes to Christ! Since Jesus
is the Door, we would expect a division, because a door shuts some people
in and some people out... There is no other door for us to go through
other than truth! People will do almost anything to avoid the truth, amen?
You must be willing to accept the truth today, not only about yourself,
but also about those that would seek to destroy you. Not everybody is
to be trusted, amen? You WILL be exposed to human foes, deceivers and
prosecutors, even those who try to imitate true shepherds.... Hopefully
you will have enough sense to be afraid of strangers! This is a caution
that God has emphasized to us in this portion of scripture, for our Father
in heaven loves all sheep and seeks to protect them. My prayer is that
you will be attentive to HIS voice and heed His Word! Surrounded as we
are by thieves, robbers and wolves, may grace be ours to hear, believe,
follow and OBEY the Shepherd as He leads the way! What greater security
has the church of God than that the Lord Jesus is between it and all it's
enemies?
One door, and only one
Yet it's sides are two.
Inside and Outside -
which side are you?
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
