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The Shepherd Leads the Way, July 9
When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep
follow him: for they know his voice.
John 10:4
.
The Eastern shepherd does not drive his sheep. He depends not upon force or
fear; but going before, he calls them. They know his voice, and obey the call. So
does the Saviour-Shepherd with His sheep. The Scripture says, “Thou leddest thy
people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.” Through the prophet, Jesus
declares, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness
have I drawn thee.” He compels none to follow Him. “I drew them,” He says, “with
cords of a man, with bands of love” (
Psalm 77:20
;
Jeremiah 31:3
;
Hosea 11:4
).
It is not the fear of punishment, or the hope of everlasting reward, that leads
the disciples of Christ to follow Him. They behold the Saviour’s matchless love,
revealed throughout His pilgrimage on earth, from the manger of Bethlehem to
Calvary’s cross, and the sight of Him attracts, it softens and subdues the soul. Love
awakens in the heart of the beholders. They hear His voice, and they follow Him.
As the shepherd goes before his sheep, himself first encountering the perils of
the way, so does Jesus with His people. “When he putteth forth his own sheep, he
goeth before them.” The way to heaven is consecrated by the Saviour’s footprints.
The path may be steep and rugged, but Jesus has traveled that way; His feet have
pressed down the cruel thorns, to make the pathway easier for us. Every burden that
we are called to bear He Himself has borne.
Though now He has ascended to the presence of God, and shares the throne
of the universe, Jesus has lost none of His compassionate nature. Today the same
tender, sympathizing heart is open to all the woes of humanity. Today the hand that
was pierced is reached for to bless more abundantly His people that are in the world.
“And they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
The soul that has given himself to Christ is more precious in His sight than the
whole world. The Saviour would have passed through the agony of Calvary that one
might be saved in His kingdom. He will never abandon one for whom He has died.
Unless His followers choose to leave Him, He will hold them fast.
Through all of our trials we have a never-failing Helper. He does not leave us
alone to struggle with temptation, to battle with evil, and be finally crushed with
burdens and sorrow. Though now He is hidden from mortal sight, the ear of faith
can hear His voice saying, “Fear not; I am with you.” “I am he that liveth, and was
dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore” (
Revelation 1:18
) (
The Desire of Ages,
480-483
).
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