I Am The Good Shepherd, Saith the Lord Jesus Christ - Part 712

The Jews answered Jesus, saying, "For a good work we stone Thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that Thou, being a man, makest thyself God." (John 10:33)

Unfortunately, there are those who attempt to obtain their salvation by climbing up some other way rather than asking forgiveness through the precious blood of Jesus -- shed on a cross for you and I. In fact, they deny the authority and Kingship of Jesus. Rather than believe that Jesus is the Word -- God Almighty in the flesh -- they create a list of options for salvation without any scriptural reference. 

But Jesus said of these latter -- "the same is a thief and a robber." (John 3:1) These same thieves and robbers "eat up the sin of My people, and they set their heart on their iniquity." (Hosea 4:8-9) They are not interested in ordinary people learning about the abundant grace and mercy of our Saviour. Nor do they encourage their parishioners to discover the love of a heavenly Father that would willingly become our Saviour. Instead, their purposes are self-serving and deceitful. 

But Jesus set the record straight -- if only we would be willing to listen. Indeed, repeatedly Jesus stated, "He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold but climbs up some other way -- the same is a thief and a robber." (John 3:1) "All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:" (John 3:8-10)

Quite the opposite, Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He responded to the Jews stating, "He that enters in by the door is the Shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter opens, and the sheep hear His voice, and He calls His sheep. And when He puts forth His own sheep, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him for they know His voice." He told them that a Good Shepherd even knows us by name -- "He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out." (John 3:1-4) Leads believers in Him out from the bondage of sin that keeps most of the populace today captive to -- and in -- the world.

This was what the Jews of the day were accustomed to doing then. Today, there are still who twist the scriptures to suit their own purposes. These strangers -- earlier referred to as thieves and robbers -- will not entice true believers. Why? Because as Jesus stated -- believers will not follow a voice that does not align with the Word. "He that is an hireling and not the Shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees because he is an hireling and cares not for the sheep." (John 3:12-13)

But Jesus does care about us. His love is constantly reaching out to us, "I am the Good Shepherd and know My sheep, and am known of Mine." (John 3:14) 

Rather than be enticed by those in authority that refuse to align with the scriptures, Jesus said we are to flee from these false teachers. Anyone who teaches that there is any other mediator between God and man -- other than Jesus Himself. For there is only one door -- Jesus. Jesus said, "I am the door of the sheep. I am the door, by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."

Remember, Jesus came to give us life, and that we might have life more abundantly. "I am the Good Shepherd," Jesus said, "the Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. As the Father knows Me, even so know I the Father, and I lay down My life for the sheep. And 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 3:15-17)

Come to Jesus today. Discover His Word. Stand on His promises forever. Stand in the offering plate.