Love25

Love Lesson

Love Lesson 25: by turtle

John 10:1-6
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.