Chapter 52—The Divine Shepherd
This chapter is based on
John 10:1-30
.
“I am the Good Shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the
sheep.” “I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known
of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I
lay down My life for the sheep.”
Again Jesus found access to the minds of His hearers by the path-
way of their familiar associations. He had likened the Spirit’s influence
to the cool, refreshing water. He had represented Himself as the light,
the source of life and gladness to nature and to man. Now in a beautiful
pastoral picture He represents His relation to those that believe on Him.
No picture was more familiar to His hearers than this, and Christ’s
words linked it forever with Himself. Never could the disciples look
on the shepherds tending their flocks without recalling the Saviour’s
lesson. They would see Christ in each faithful shepherd. They would
see themselves in each helpless and dependent flock.
This figure the prophet Isaiah had applied to the Messiah’s mission,
in the comforting words, “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee
up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift
up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities
of Judah, Behold your God! ... He shall feed His flock like a shepherd:
He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.”
Isaiah 40:9-11
. David had sung, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not
[477]
want.”
Psalm 23:1
. And the Holy Spirit through Ezekiel had declared:
“I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them.” “I will
seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away,
and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which
was sick.” “And I will make with them a covenant of peace.” “And
they shall no more be a prey to the heathen; ... but they shall dwell
safely, and none shall make them afraid.”
Ezekiel 34:23, 16, 25, 28
.
Christ applied these prophecies to Himself, and He showed the
contrast between His own character and that of the leaders in Israel.
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