Contrast, 7

~ Contrast: Shepherd vs. Thief ~

 

Series Comment ~ The Scripture contains many contrasts.  In this series we look briefly at some of them.  Just like in our “Binary” series many of these contrasts represent a choice of this or that.

 

Scripture 1 ~ Jesus said, “‘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.  But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’  Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.  Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  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’” (John 10:1-10).

 

Scripture 2 ~ Jesus continued, “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” (John 10:11-15). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

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O.T. Shepherds, 6of6

~ Summary Of 5 Old Testament Shepherds ~

Series Prologue  ~  There are at least five Old Testament shepherds who were clear “types” of Jesus Christ—our shepherd.  A type is like a faint image or shadow of the true item.  In each of these cases we can see parallels to our Great Shepherd. 

Summary Review  ~  In this series we have looked at five Old Testament shepherds:

First we saw Abel—a sacrificing shepherd who gave his life and shed his blood at the hands of his own brother.

Second we looked at Jacob—a laboring shepherd, who left his home fleeing from his angry brother and dwelt in a far country.

In Joseph—an exalted shepherd we found that he too was rejected by his own brethren, yet he would become the savior of mankind on earth at that time.

We found in Moses—a delivering shepherd, under God’s direction delivering his people from their enemies.

Finally, we found in David—a royal, reigning shepherd.

Hints Of The Coming Messiah  ~  In each of these shepherds we mentioned a few of the many parallels between them and our Shepherd—King, Jesus Christ—The Messiah.  Some examples include:

Jesus, the Christ, was rejected by His own the first time He came to earth.

He was rejected by His own people.

He was exiled to a distant country.

While rejected He sought out a Gentile bride—the true Church.

Jesus Christ—The Messiah will one day be accepted by His own people (Israel).

In the future He will set up His glorious millennial kingdom. 

Closing Comment  ~  If you have appreciated this series on Old Testament shepherds you may want to look at the Abundant Life Now post of October 19, 2010 entitled: Christ Our Shepherd (Biblical Trilogy – He Satisfies All Our Needs).  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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