WHILE looking at some prize sheep, the writer had a conversation with the shepherd. “What fine sheep!”
“Yes, very.”
“They appear quite comfortable and happy.”
“O, yes.”
“Do they know you?”
“Yes, indeed they do! No matter where they are feeding just let me come near, they’ll soon talk, and call out, Baa, baa.’”
“What, do they know you as well as that?”
“Yes, sir.”
Dear children, those sheep teach us all a lesson, and remind us of other sheep, those spoken of in the 10th of John, where a Shepherd says, “I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep. and am known of Mine.” (v. 14.)
The prize sheep knew the shepherd because of what they received. He feeds them, and they cry for him when they are hungry. Do they get disappointed in their food? No; for they belong to an owner who is very careful over his sheep.
Dear soul, there is One who is even a better master: that One is the Owner and Shepherd of all the sheep spoken of in the 10th of John. He is the sole Proprietor of the sheep—the Lord Jesus Christ, “the great Shepherd of the sheep.” They follow Him, “for they know His voice.”
What a faithful Shepherd He is! O, to know His voice so well that we will not follow “a stranger.”
Perhaps my reader is not one of Christ’s sheep, and does not know the voice of “the Good Shepherd.” Well, if so, look! the door is open; NOW is your time; enter in. Read the 9th verse of the 10th of John: “I am the Door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” Saved! Enter in! The blessing is yours. Christ says, “If any man.” Thank God, there is no entrance fee.
No, He knew you had “nothing to pay,” so He presents His salvation without money and without price. How wide the invitation! “If any man enter in, he shall be saved.” These sayings will never change, they are the words of Divine truth.
What a blessed assurance it is! Not, “hope to be,” “may be,” “perhaps,” but, “will be saved.” Christ’s words are always full and clear and definite. He says, ‘He shall be saved.”
Now dear reader, have YOU entered in? Take care lest, too late, too late, the door be shut. Shut forever! Ten million years? Longer—much longer— “forever”: shut for ever.
Christ is the door: by Him “if any man enter in, he shall be saved.”
ML 07/14/1918