The Good Shepherd

 
One day a traveler in the East met a shepherd with his flock, all of which knew his voice. You must remember, dear young friends, in Palestine the sheep know the voice of the shepherd, and he calls them by name. Well, this traveler wanted to try whether the sheep would come when he called them, so he asked the shepherd to exchange his clothes and he would put on the shepherd’s. When this was done the traveler called the sheep, but they would not come, and took no notice; then the shepherd, although in different clothes, called, and they came immediately.
You see, dear young friends, they knew not the voice of a stranger. So Jesus knows His own, and whenever or wherever He calls them, they follow Him. But a stranger who may call them to do many things which is questionable they will not obey.
When a boy was asked to slide on the ice one Sunday, he refused because he had learned about Jesus, how He obeyed His mother at their home in Nazareth. Jesus the good Shepherd knows His sheep (John 10:14-2714I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18No man taketh 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 commandment have I received of my Father. 19There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. 20And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? 21Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? 22And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. 24Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:14‑27)); He calls them (John 10:33To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (John 10:3)); He gathers them (Isa. 40:1111He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11); John 10:1616And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)); He guides (Psa. 23:33He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:3)); He feeds theni (Psa. 23:1,21<<A Psalm of David.>> The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:1‑2)); He protects them and preserves them (Jer. 31:1,101At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:1)
10Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. (Jeremiah 31:10); John 10:2828And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)).
What a friend you may have both in life and death, and He will give you a place in His beautiful home in heaven.
“In that beautiful home He has gone to prepare,
For all who are washed and forgiven.”
Will you flee to Jesus now? He will save you; He is calling you, saying, “COME.”
ML 11/26/1944