Jesus often taught in parables, sharing profound spiritual truths through simple stories and illustrations. These parables were much more than metaphors or a literary device designed to cleverly disguise the truth: for those who believed Jesus, it would reveal truth from God impossible for unbelievers to comprehend. God is the author and sole source of all divine wisdom, and He is the One who reveals Himself and provides guidance to those who trust in Him.
Jesus said in John 10:1-6: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them." Jesus is the exclusive Way; He is the Truth and the Life. The only authorised way to be accepted in the flock of God and become a citizen of heaven is to come through the Door, entering through faith in Jesus Christ. Because the people did not understand what Jesus meant (a very common occurrence - people often understood what Jesus said but had no concept of what He meant!), He went on to say in John 10:7-9, "Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
Jesus made an effort and took time to patiently teach people, and He offered explanations to those who didn't understand. Often Jesus was approached by His disciples after the crowd dispersed and inquired into the meaning of His sayings and parables. The Gospels all show Jesus was glad to answer these queries. The passage above shows two major distinctions of the sheep in God's fold and those who have come another way: they have entered it the correct way through Christ, and they follow Jesus because they know (or recognise) His voice. These are good questions for self examination: have I repented and trusted in Jesus as Saviour? In my daily life do I obey the words of Jesus, fleeing from and rejecting all other voices I recognise are not Him?
As followers of Jesus and sheep of His pasture, we ought not be fooled by voices other than Christ which softly beckon for our attention. They appeal to our good sense, sound reasonable and intelligent enough, and are attractive. Yet if we will examine these various voices through the clear lens of scripture and the things Jesus Christ has already spoken, the messages of deceit are unmasked. Comedy is all about good delivery, and good words are all about sound biblical content. If the original message is lost, the messenger has failed in his task despite his polished speech and courtesy. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must heed His voice and will almost instinctively flee from all others. But as human beings we do not share the instincts of sheep. We are allowed the freedom to weigh words and choose what we will believe and obey. We can be led astray, and this world is filled with potential suitors.
If we will be saved, then we should listen to our Saviour. This is only reasonable, and looking no further than myself I can say at times my feelings and ideas are completely unreasonable! For this reason I must ensure I am listening for the voice of Christ and choosing to follow Him, not giving ear to imposters. The most clever sheep are those who realise they are not so clever after all and choose to stay close to the Good Shepherd who loves them and leads them in an abundant life.
Jesus said in John 10:1-6: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them." Jesus is the exclusive Way; He is the Truth and the Life. The only authorised way to be accepted in the flock of God and become a citizen of heaven is to come through the Door, entering through faith in Jesus Christ. Because the people did not understand what Jesus meant (a very common occurrence - people often understood what Jesus said but had no concept of what He meant!), He went on to say in John 10:7-9, "Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture."
Jesus made an effort and took time to patiently teach people, and He offered explanations to those who didn't understand. Often Jesus was approached by His disciples after the crowd dispersed and inquired into the meaning of His sayings and parables. The Gospels all show Jesus was glad to answer these queries. The passage above shows two major distinctions of the sheep in God's fold and those who have come another way: they have entered it the correct way through Christ, and they follow Jesus because they know (or recognise) His voice. These are good questions for self examination: have I repented and trusted in Jesus as Saviour? In my daily life do I obey the words of Jesus, fleeing from and rejecting all other voices I recognise are not Him?
As followers of Jesus and sheep of His pasture, we ought not be fooled by voices other than Christ which softly beckon for our attention. They appeal to our good sense, sound reasonable and intelligent enough, and are attractive. Yet if we will examine these various voices through the clear lens of scripture and the things Jesus Christ has already spoken, the messages of deceit are unmasked. Comedy is all about good delivery, and good words are all about sound biblical content. If the original message is lost, the messenger has failed in his task despite his polished speech and courtesy. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must heed His voice and will almost instinctively flee from all others. But as human beings we do not share the instincts of sheep. We are allowed the freedom to weigh words and choose what we will believe and obey. We can be led astray, and this world is filled with potential suitors.
If we will be saved, then we should listen to our Saviour. This is only reasonable, and looking no further than myself I can say at times my feelings and ideas are completely unreasonable! For this reason I must ensure I am listening for the voice of Christ and choosing to follow Him, not giving ear to imposters. The most clever sheep are those who realise they are not so clever after all and choose to stay close to the Good Shepherd who loves them and leads them in an abundant life.
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