The Parables
The Parables are an important part of Jesus’ teaching. What are Parables? They are simple stories that convey a deep meaning. They are extremely memorable and are filled with images that convey spiritual messages. We, as Christians, should place high value on them because they are not only the words of Jesus, but we also believe that they are taught by The Father. (see John 8:28 and 14:10)
Jesus Is The Good Shepherd
Read, John Chapter 10
The people whom Jesus is speaking to, understand well the concept of a shepherd and his (her) flock. The sons of Abraham tended sheep. Rachael was a shepherdess. King David was a shepherd. If I read Psalm 23, I can feel the rhythm of “The Lord is my shepherd”. It goes like this….
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still water, he restores my soul…he guides me…thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me….”
Understand?
I love this passage of Scripture (the Parables), because it is Jesus who is speaking to us, teaching us. “He calls his sheep by name. He goes ahead of his sheep and they follow him, because they KNOW his voice. His sheep will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away because they do not recognize the stranger’s voice. Jesus is the gate for his sheep. He is the open door through which his sheep are saved. He lays down is life for his sheep.”
In verses 10-18, we see the Grace of Christ. No one could take Jesus life from him. ”He laid down his life of his own accord for me and for you.” He offered himself to be our Savior. He is the offer-er and he is the offering. He laid down his life for his sheep.
These folks (the ‘Jews), how many times does Jesus have to say, “I have been telling you I am the Christ…..but you do not BELIEVE. The miracles speak for me because I do them in my Father’s name. My sheep hear my voice and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and NO ONE can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, NO ONE can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. He and I are one.” (verses 22-30)
Further explanation by Jesus about his miracles: “..BELIEVE the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” (verse 38)
Again, they tried to seize Jesus….but, he escaped, AGAIN….not because he was afraid….but, because his time had not yet come. Then Jesus went back across the Jordan. “Here he stayed and many BELIEVED in Him” (verse 42)
Thought to ponder: “He restores my soul“……I really need that today!!!!
Scripture to ponder: Hebrews 13:20 “The Great Shepherd”; 1 Peter 5:4 “The Chief Shepherd”
This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 11:19 pm and is filed under Bible Studies, Sharing The Gospel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
