The Shepherd of The Sheepfold | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: The Shepherd of The Sheepfold | Previous Challenge Entry
By Vashti (Rose) Hing
02/22/24
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God often refers to Himself as the shepherd of His people. Jeremiah 31:10 NKJV says, "Hear the word of the LORD, O nation, And declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, And keep him as a shepherd does his flock.'

And for us in this generation, Jesus likens Himself to the good shepherd who goes and searches for His own, and when He finds them, He brings them to His fold.

The children of God are scattered all over the world in sin and shame. But God, who is rich in mercy, brings them to His sheepfold, and they no more will be scattered as the Jews from their homeland. There will be under one head, "Christ Jesus."

Western countries can only understand the parable of the good shepherd if we know the Eastern countries and their way of life. Shepherds are very important in those countries because sheep are their investment. They cannot live without the sheep.

When Jesus said, "I am the door of the sheepfold." He was reflecting the Eastern customs. Sheep is always in danger and is dependent on the shepherd. In the Eastern countries, there is a corral, a place with a shelter over it, and the shepherd brings the sheep, puts them in it, and goes and lays down across the door. And the sheep can't go out without crossing the shepherd, and the wolf can't come in. The shepherd is the door; nothing can come to his sheep unless he permits it.

If we have the 'Good Shepherd,' Christ Jesus, keeping us, nothing can come to us unless He permits it. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 NKJV. Isn't that wonderful! How blessed and secure we are to be as Christians. He will never leave or forsake us.

Jesus said my sheep know my voice, and a stranger they will not follow. Now, the sheep was born under the tutorship of the shepherd and learned his voice.

The voice of God is His Word. When tempted, as sometimes we do, and stray from the fold and find out it was the wrong shepherd we were following, we turn away. The good shepherd leaves the "ninety-nine" in a safe place hidden from the wolves and searches for that one sheep. Such love! Such wondrous love the Father has for His own.

I read that the Easterners put all their produce, even the meat, on the street when they sell them, and everyone walks on the streets. A missionary named Billy was there in India, and he saw a shepherd walking on the street, and a large flock of sheep was following him. Billy said it was amazing to see those sheep walking behind the shepherd, not looking right, or left. They kept their eyes on him and walked in his footsteps. Likewise, we who are the sheep of God's sheepfold keep our eyes on His Word and walk in His footsteps.

The Lord Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep." (NKJV) Only He can save us.

Jesus died on the cross and paid the price for my sins. He redeemed me back to God, and now I am a sheep of His pasture.

Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Amazing Grace!

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