Love25

Love Lesson

Love Lesson 25: by turtle

John 10:1-6 KJV
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 a robber.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Christ often used stories to make a point. God’s people are like sheep. Someone trying to enter the pen by any means other then
the gate is a wolf/thief/robber. A thief will not go through a door unless he picks a lock. Often times the seek a window to a house
that is unlocked. A wolf will often try digging under a pen or will try and go over the pen that holds the sheep. The wolf aim is to
lead a sheep astray from the herd and destroy it. But if the sheep is a true sheep he will not listen to the wolf but only to the
shepherd. Sheep will follow the shepherd’s voice wherever he leads. Much like God’s people are suppose to do. God’s people are
to follow without question or looking for alternative directions. By listening to another voice they will be lead astray. A good sheep
will not follow another shepherd because they know not who they are.

John 10:7-18
7 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.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This
commandment have I received of my Father.

Christ then declares he is the door to the sheep pen anyone coming before was a thief/robber. A thief/robber wishes harm to the
sheep. Simple fact sheep will know the shepherds voice and will follow Him. If we hear Christ voice we will follow because we
know his way is true.

Someone that is not the shepherd will not care for the sheep. As soon as trouble comes the one looking after the sheep will run if
he is not the shepherd. The simple fact is a good leader will stick by those he leads. He is protective of those that are less able as
well as protect them from harm. A person that is hired to do the job of leadership will care nothing about the people. He will not
lay his life down when trouble comes.

Christ laid His life down for us. God gave Him the ability to pick it up again. Those who follow Christ voice will be protected. He
will not let any harm come to those that listen and obey. That does not mean to say we will not go through struggles or hardship.
But it mean that God will give us the comfort, reassurance and strength to deal with all that lays ahead of us in our earthly life
time and beyond. The shepherd will nurse and bind the wounds of his sheep. He will carry them in their weakness. Will lead them
to green pastures and fresh springs of water.

The good Shepherd will lay down his life for his sheep. God gave us His only begotten Son to die for our sins. If we still had to
pay for the price of our sins we would not live. I am not talking a physical death but a spiritual death. Christ gave us life eternally.
It is our choice whether we follow Him or not but those who hear and follow Him are His sheep.