John 10:10-21
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings. And many of them said, “He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?” Others said, “These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
Jesus used shepherding as analogous to ministry in his teaching because caring for livestock was very common to those he spoke to. As we look at the work and ministry of the church today, we often call the church a hospital for sin sick souls. And it seems to me a very good adaptation. We may not understand shepherding, but all of us understand the significance of a good hospital.
The hospital, like the sheep holding pen, is a place of preparation, grooming, housing and nurturing. However, all too often we find that the attitude of some folk is the church is more analogous to hospice than it is to hospital. But that shouldn’t be. Hospice is where we go to die. The hospital is where we go to ensure we live. And the Lord came that we may have life, and have it more abundantly.
Jesus couldn’t of been more clear as to his mission, purpose, objectives and goals relating to us. He came to secure the sheep. Period! He is myopically concerned about our welfare, condition, status and health. He entrust none of our souls to anyone but himself. Yes, there are under-shepherds and servants, but ultimately we all belong to him. And if I may be so bold as to continue with the hospital analogies I see a uncanny similarity between the two.
When we go to the hospital, we go to be cared for. We go to live and not die. When we come to Jesus we come to find life: abundant life. There should be no talk of dying or end of ministry. We come to fix, repair, treat, empower and increase our capacity.
Think about it. There are so many analogous cross sections in this morning’s discussion. We enter the hospital in the emergency room. That’s where intake, temperature, blood pressure and heart activity are measured. Isn’t that what we are doing this morning? Those who are broken-hearted, depressed, angry, unsure, afraid and dismayed are invited to bring their petitions to the Lord. And we chart them and prepare them to be presented to him in prayer. But we can’t do anything until the Great Physician takes a look and prescribes the correct treatment for what’s ailing us.
I know when I’m feeling a bit weak he prescribes Nehemiah 8:10, “the joy of the Lord is your strength”. And take that with a little Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me”. And when my mind is perplexed and troubled, he says go to Isaiah 26:3 “thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee”. When I’m fearful he advises to take a daily dose of the word, because there are 365 scriptures that tell us not to fear.
Dear Child of God, malady after malady, situation after situation are all expertly and adequately handled by the Great Physician. We have no reason to fear, doubt or be discouraged. We didn’t come here to die. We came here to live in abundance.
God bless
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