Sheep and and the Free Gift of the Shepherd

I love the Parable of the Good Shepherd. This powerful illustration at close glance examines the relationship between Christ and His Sheep but it also has a number of other illustrations that give meaning for life, top side of the earth. In the ancient near-east the shepherd lived with his sheep. I have been to the Middle East; I have observed the modern (not modern by today's standard) Bedouines and their charges moving across the desert floor, scampering past an occasional passing vehicle. They are always on a quest for their quay, the precious green pastures that lie clingingly close to the rivers and the gulf.

At night, the shepherds would bring their sheep into a fold, normally a cove surrounded by stone, mostly man-made. The sheep would nestle in there protected from predatory wolves or humans who would steal. The shepherd would stay and take rest at the opening or the "door" of the sheepfold. Often, shepherds would gather together in the evening and fold their sheep all together, hundreds intermingling with each other. The following morning each shepherd would rise and call their sheep, and out of the fold of hundreds would come that shepherd's sheep, for "they know their master's voice".

Take this explanation and set it against the backdrop of John 10. Jesus uses this example of sheep and shepherds to contrast two ideas of salvation, one is an idea of a sheep outside the fold of any master, the other is the idea of a sheep inside the fold of "their master". Listen to John 10: 7-11, it says "Then Jesus said unto them again, verily, verily I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door of the sheep, by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and shall find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal and destroy; I am come, that they may have life and have it more abundantly I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for his sheep" . Do you hear this? What Christ is saying is the only way to salvation is through him (by me); the door. If any man enters in, he shall be saved and shall find pasture. He shall not only have life, but will have an abundant life!

Listen, you may go to church each week, but if you have not entered through the Door of Christ, you do not have eternal life. You may be a Christmas and Easter Catholic, but if you haven't accepted salvation through Christ (not the church) you are not going to heaven. You say Crow, wait a minute that's strong; that is dogmatic. Look friend at what Christ is saying here. You want eternal life; you got to come through the Door! Jesus also exclaimed best elsewhere, when He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes unto the Father, except by me", John 14:6.

This Christmas season while we're focused on giving, why not accept a free gift that is offered every day? Why not listen to Jesus who is now tugging at your heart? I am Sherrell.