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by Sandy Shaw
Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd willingly and voluntarily laid down his life for the sheep. We read this in John Chapter 10 and at verse 17. No one can claim the dubious honour of having taken the life of this religious trouble maker, who was Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Jesus faced the cross with all its humiliation and agony and pain, and shed His blood – the Lamb of God dies to take away the sin of the world.
God the Father gave life back to the Good Shepherd so that He could offer eternal life to us today – to all who believe.
Jesus Christ goes right to the limit – and beyond – and returns – to breathe life into us – to forgive us all our sins – and also to anoint us and empower us for service.
Once you have experienced all of that – conversion – forgiveness – cleansing – the anointing of the Holy Spirit – and you find your place and ministry in the body – never ever leave the safety and security which is to be found in the fellowship of the fold.
Sheep out of fellowship, without the watchful eye of a loving shepherd – that sheep can be much more easily spiritually harmed, and fall to physical temptation – with a potentially powerful witness destroyed, and their testimony to Jesus Christ dashed.
To experience the love of the Father, we have to hear and obey the shepherding voice of Jesus Christ the Son, and be prompted and nudged by the Holy Spirit.
All that normally involves laying down your life, and learning to walk as Jesus wants you to walk! I know of no other way.
“I am the good shepherd.” How did the people react to such a compassionate caring comforting reassuring statement? Surely there would be no resistance – surely not at these loving words! O yes, there was. Because of what Jesus said, the Jews were divided. Many said – he is demon-possessed – he is raving mad – why do you bother listening to him?
These people missed Jesus. They missed what God was doing – why? Was it because they realised they were the wolf – the hireling – the thief – the robber – to whom Jesus referred? But others did react differently.
Evil people leave behind them a trail of misery and suffering and sadness and havoc. They do damage.
Jesus was healing people – opening blind eyes – and leaving behind him a trail of people who were praising God. I am the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd continues to call people to follow him and to belong to the flock and the fold.
It is Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, who brings people in. Our task is to remain and abide.
At this time of year when many reflect on what has gone, and consider what may lie ahead, ask yourself these penetrating questions, and allow the Holy Spirit to bring answers to the surface, if need be.
“Have I been faithful? Have I served as I ought to have served? Have I heard the voice of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd and followed the guidance and direction and leading of the Holy Spirit? Have I been loyal and reliable and dependable wherever Jesus Christ has placed me and planted me?”
“And what of these future days and weeks, O loving God? Speak clearly and make the path for me plain and clear.”
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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