The Door of the Sheep

‘Then said Jesus 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: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth 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. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No 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.' 

(John 10:7-18 KJV)

Jesus clearly separates his calling from that of the hireling: which falls prey to the wolf (deception, violence, greed, spiritual danger). The sheep are scattered until they hear his voice and enter in at the door. We should ask the Father, each of us, in the name of Jesus Christ, for wisdom to understand this good shepherding principle!

Good Ground

‘And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.' (Mark 4:20 KJV)

'But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.' (Matthew 13:23 KJV)

'But that on good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.' (Luke 8:15 KJV)

Good ground receives the seed of the word of God; understands that the root of the seed must be in themselves; recognizes that God nourishes the seed with what it needs to grow right and bring forth fruit. Receive, understand, keep the seed of the word of God. Trust God and his godly way!

'Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil: for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; FOR HIS SEED REMAINETH IN HIM: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.'

(1 John 3:6-9 KJV)

Rebuke and Forgive: Peace be Unto you!

‘Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.'

(Luke 17:1-3 KJV)

'Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things(v.17) unto her. Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.' (John 20:18-20 KJV)

'But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.' (John 20:24-29 KJV)

Jesus rebuked Thomas by showing honor to his request within the testimony. Thomas immediately repented, and received the necessary forgiveness that Jesus discussed in Luke 17:3.