WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday April 30, 2017
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GOD’S PRESERVING LOVE
(JESUS, our GOOD SHEPHERD)
(John 10:1-21)
In
the Greek, the word used for “thief”, here in John chapter 10, verse 1, is
“kleptes” (klep-tace), and it describes “one who takes by stealth”,
or, “by covert means”. Contrastingly, the Greek word used here in verse 1 for “robber” is “lestes” (lace-tace), and it describes “one who takes by
force”. Here, the “thief” that JESUS is alluding to, could be any of the
Pharisees, who were the religious leaders of that
day, and, who were men who took what they wanted by using subtle and
unsuspecting methods.
The robber, that JESUS
makes mention of in this verse, can be likened to any of the Romans, who took, or stole from the Israelites by imposing their will,
authority, and power upon them. It was those two
types of leaderships that JESUS sought to expose here, and put an end to forever. And it certainly wasn’t the kind of
leadership that our LORD intended for HIS new and
upcoming “Christian Church”.
Perhaps there is no more
endearing image of JESUS in all of Scripture, than the one HE presents of HIMSELF as the “Good Shepherd” in John chapter
10. The imagery of the Good Shepherd is forever woven in the minds
and hearts of all who believe in CHRIST JESUS,
even up until this day.
The Bible is loaded with
passages that use the analogy of the loving Shepherd as a
provider and protector of that which he oversees. He is one who risks his life to seek and to save, even that one straying
sheep, who may have separated itself from his
beloved flock.
The leaders of the
Christian church can also be likened to the Good Shepherd, and the members of their congregation, can be likened to the flock. It is the duty
of the pastor of the Christian to spiritually lead, guide,
and feed his flock with the nourishing food of the Word of GOD. And, he must aspire to do so, willingly and eagerly, without constraints, and,
not for the love of money, nor, for the power
that he has obtained, due to his position. He must lead by example, and his behavior must paint a picture of the patience and love of GOD,
our LORD and SAVIOR, through JESUS
CHRIST.
In the Latin Vulgate,
the word Jerome uses for “Pastor” is “Shepherd” in Ephesians 4:11. It describes the function of one in such a position in the Church.
It is the duty of each member of the
flock, to come into a personal relationship with the SHEPHERD, because of their continued need for HIS love, guidance,
and protection. They should always be able to discern HIS
voice from all other voices, and also be able to
distinguish that which is representative of HIS work.
The only way, to achieve
that kind of relationship with GOD, is by familiarizing oneself with the SHEPHERD, JESUS CHRIST, WHO is “The Word”. One can thereby,
ultimately realize the purpose (his or her “Creation Role”), for which they came
into the world, and that is, of course, to personally serve and obey GOD.
GOD’s voice can only be heard, through a leader who has patterned his
life after the examples of service that
were shown to us by JESUS CHRIST during HIS three-year ministry. JESUS’ impeccable standards will manifest themselves
through anyone who represents HIS cause.
There is no way to mistaken JESUS’ unique and
lofty standards for those of any “false
representatives” that may have came down the pike, either before, or since HIS time. One only needs to know JESUS the
SHEPHERD, WHO is the real deal, in order to
discern the fakes, who misrepresent, in the name of the LORD.
Just as every good
shepherd knows his sheep, every good sheep should come to know his shepherd’s voice. Such knowledge can mean the difference
between life and death, in many cases.
It can also be the difference between danger and safety, starvation and nourishment, or, shelter and homelessness.
To be alone in this
world, and have no hope of anything beyond this world, is a frightening thought. We as Christians, no longer have to
entertain, or envision that thought. And so, we should
be forever thankful to our “GOOD SHEPHERD”, our
LORD
and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST, for making the wonderful gift of Eternal Life in GOD’s own glorious presence, a reality, by way of HIS
vicarious sacrifice on the cross at Golgotha.
A Sunday school lesson
by,
Larry D. Alexander
LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website
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