Jesus said: I am the good shepherd. (John 10:11) When Christ was on earth He referred to the Jews as: the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24) But today God's flock is His church. Paul refers to the church as: the flock. (Acts 20:28)
The sheep in this flock were chosen by God, Himself. Jesus said: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. (John 15:16) These sheep are those whom the Father gave to the Son. Jesus says: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me. (John 6:37) We now belong to both the Father and the Son, as Jesus prays: all mine are thine, and thine are mine. (John 17:10) God has chosen us because we are precious to him, and we now belong to Him.
I would like to discuss two spiritual images which relate to a shepherd and his flock: protection from wolves; and bringing to pasture.
The most fundamental wolf is the devil. Jesus claimed to lay down his life to save us from this wolf: 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. (John 10:11,12)
The high price which Jesus had to pay, and the fact that Jesus now controls our destiny instead of the devil, makes the meaning of the cross like a purchase: the flock . . . the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28) We must note that we are purchased from the devil, not from the Father who always had loving ambitions for us.
Christ's work on the cross gave Him merit in His Father's sight. Jesus said: Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life. (John 10:17) If we want the Father to love us as He loved Jesus then we must also be prepared to follow Jesus' example in protecting God's sheep from the wolves, which are men who are against God. In fact we are commanded to follow this example of Jesus' love. Jesus said: This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:12,13) This is our duty according to 1 John 3:16: Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Often a man would lay down his life in an attempt to save his wife, yet would be more reticent about making a sacrifice to save a stranger. But Christians are brethren. Therefore the sacrifice one might normally only make for one's personal family should also be made for God's family.
In times of war in ancient days, valiant Jewish soldiers might give their lives fighting for God's kingdom. Although today we no longer fight to establish God's kingdom on earth, it may still be that God will call upon some to show similar valour, as He did of the apostle James, of whom we read in Acts 12:2: he (Herod) killed James the brother of John with the sword. I am sure that the sheep, that James fed with the word of God, and that were brought into the fold by him, will be eternally grateful that he did not forsake them to flee from Herod the wolf.
Although James, one of the twelve apostles was slain, he could not be killed until it was God's time. Until then he was protected by God. Just before the crucifixion, to protect His disciples, Jesus said: let these go their way: that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. (John 18:8,9) So Jesus took steps to avoid danger to His disciples and He will do the same for us. There are times that we should hide from danger.
Even Jesus avoided danger to His life, as we read in John 11:53,54: Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. So there is a time to hide (for your own safety) and a time to face the wolf (for the safety and good of others). People must use their wisdom and listen to their conscience in order to decide what action is appropriate. There is no purpose in suffering and dying in vain.
But we should not be cowards, because Jesus said: He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. (John 12:25) When Jesus says to hate our life He does not mean that we should not love ourselves, but only that we must love Christ more and must therefore be prepared to face danger or suffering or hardship for His sake. We must even be prepared to die, rather than to deny Christ. It is clear that Jesus is talking about real suffering, and not just battles in the mind, because the context in which these words were spoken is that of His crucifixion. Those who are half hearted about denying themselves when duty calls, may enjoy the eternal goodness of God in the next world, but they miss out on the great reward given to Abraham, who looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. They must build their own cities.
We deny ourselves, not by deliberately provoking trouble, but by serving the Lord in the place where He wants us to be. This is where we will find Jesus. He said: If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be. (John 12:26) As we thus serve God, Satan's servants may say unkind things about us and persecute us, but Jesus promised: If any man serve me, him will my Father honour. This is all that matters.
Although men may kill us, they cannot take away our reward in heaven. In this matter it is not the will of man that prevails, but the will of our Father in heaven. And Jesus stated: This is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. (John 6:39)
Jesus also promises security, saying: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:27-30) So Jesus and His Father are one in the cause of protecting the sheep. So Jesus assures us that no man or wolf can stop us from going to heaven. But we should note that this promise of eternal life is only to those who hear Jesus' voice and follow, or in other words, obey Christ.
But if one of Jesus' sheep goes astray in disobedience, God will bring it back. This is the parable of the lost sheep: What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (Luke 15:4-7) The sheep being brought back to the fold may correspond to someone repenting of their sins. Although a non-Christian may need to repent to be saved, the parable is primarily applicable to those who are already God's sheep, that is, Christians. If a Christian falls into some sin, or if through trials they give up, God will rescue them and turn them back to Himself. But they must respond to Him.
Sometimes sheep are lost not because of their own sins, but because they have been driven too hard until they gave up, or perhaps the sheep were confused with wrong doctrine. God will seek to rescue such sheep as Ezekiel prophesies: As a shepherd seeketh out his flock . . . so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day . . . I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. (Ezekiel 34:12,16)
Jesus said: 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. (John 10:9,10) Because Jesus our Shepherd eventually brings us to pastures where we are free to graze, the Christian's path should not be too hard to bear. ‘Pasture’ refers not only to our daily bread, but also to all that is necessary to satisfy our souls. The abundant life which the Lord promises begins in a small way here on earth, and continues in a much fuller way beyond the grave.
The pastures, which the Lord provides for us, are associated with the spiritual, emotional and physical blessings which come upon us if we obey God. Physical blessings are spoken of in Deuteronomy 7:12-15: Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgements, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers: And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine . . . Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you . . . And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee. We should not, however be selfish with the blessings the Lord gives us.
Some Christians dispute that these blessings will come to us, as we are no longer under the old covenant, in which these promises were made. But although we are under a different covenant, I believe that, because we are under the same God, the same principles should still apply. Also the law cannot disannul the promise made to Abraham when God said: I will bless thee. (Genesis 12:2)
Peter also promises blessings on earth for those who lead good lives when he said: not rendering evil for evil . . . but contrariwise blessing: knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace and ensue it. (1 Peter 3:9-12) Notice, however, that the promise of being able to: love life, and see good days, is conditional upon: not rendering evil for evil, and other commandments. So the New Testament agrees with the Old in that there are blessings, but only if we are good.
Jesus also promised blessings on earth, when He said: Verily, I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life. (Mark 10:29,30)
Notice that the blessings are only given as we give up those things which God does not wish us to have. This involves taking the cross and enduring persecution. But the rewards, not only in heaven, but also on earth are greater than the cost. In general we should not leave these things of which the Lord speaks unless there is a good reason.
Receiving homes a hundredfold is not to be taken literally, however, because those who leave their home do not receive a hundred houses. They are however, received into hundreds of new houses by their hundreds of new brothers and sisters in the Lord. ‘Lands’ refers to the place where a person works for their living. The Lord fills our life with works to do, both spiritually and materially, and He supplies our needs.
If we are faithful to obey the Lord by taking the cross, and if we abstain from sin, we have the promise of Psalm 84:11,12: No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
We should not, however, become too taken up with material blessings, as our true reward is in heaven: in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20) Although Jesus spoke these words in the context of not being taken up with spiritual power on earth, I think their application is more general.
Let us look at some wonderful emotional blessings. God promises peace: Oh that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river. (Isaiah 48:18) But this promise is only to those who heed His commandments. A lack of peace may be an indication that we misunderstand the commandments of God.
The Lord also promised His twelve apostles joy: ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. (John 16:22) But before they experienced this joy they had to endure a time of sorrow when the Lord was crucified. So also for us, although the Lord promises joy to those who follow Him truly, there may still be some bitter experiences to face.
Even non-Christians experience happiness when they do good. True spiritual satisfaction, however, can only be obtained after a person is born again. This spiritual satisfaction given to a believer, and given out to others by a believer, is promised by Jesus: Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:37-39) Jesus refers to the Holy Sprit as water because water satisfies the thirsty soul. The Holy Spirit helps us to experience and understand the love, the power, and the wisdom of God.
Whilst the Lord does promise blessings, the Christian life is not one continuous stream of blessings. We must at times be prepared to take the cross. This is because God wants to test us to see if we: shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead. (Luke 20:35) The greater our reward, the harder our way, and the longer our travail. Although for most rulers, the promise is true that affliction shall not rise up the second time, for the twenty-four elders, the saying would need to be, that affliction shall not rise up the tenth time. But even an elder like king David had hope, and could say, I had fainted except I believed to see the goodness of God in the land of the living.
It was to test the children of Israel, that God led them as He did in the wilderness, according to Deuteronomy 8:2: And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. God also caused the Israelites to suffer hunger that they might be given faith: And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3)
Most of the Israelites never learned this lesson. As soon as there was any adversity they complained. But we can rejoice even when things go wrong because our names are written in heaven, and because whatever adversity we face is allowed by God, who will give us grace to endure it. So we can say: Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail . . . Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hind's feet. (Habakkuk 3:17-19) We rejoice not just through our emotions, but by focussing on heaven and giving thanks to God, being mindful that God is using adversity to shape our character to prepare us for eternal life. We should be as Paul and Silas, who after being beaten and put in jail, with: their feet fast in the stocks . . . at midnight . . . prayed, and sang praises unto God. (Acts 16:24,25)
When we have endured trials and temptation like Paul and Silas did, God will reward us. There are two blessings for resisting temptation: a reward in heaven, and a blessing on earth. These are both referred to in James 1:12-17: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him . . . Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Gifts from above may be given to us now on earth as well as in the next life. If the gift is not from above, it is not good and perfect and it will bring more sorrow than joy. But of God's gifts, for which we must sometimes patiently wait, it is written: The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22)
However it is no use expecting God to give us things whilst trying to get them from the devil at the same time. I think it is this active sort of doubting rather than just a question in the mind, which James warns against when he says: he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (James 1:6,7) Although this verse specifically refers to asking for wisdom, I believe that its application is more general. For example, we could not expect God to bless our work if we were gambling. The same thought is also contained in 1 Peter 3:12: the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
So far I have spoken only of the blessings for obedience, as this is the life which God intends us to lead. But whilst there are blessings for obedience, there are cursings for disobedience. These are spoken of in Deuteronomy 28:15-30: But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee . . . Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body (offspring), and the fruit of thy land . . . Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do . . . The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever . . . The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies . . . thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein. That Christ has taken the curse on Himself does not mean that we will not be cursed if we go back to sin. It only means, that when a person repents, the curse is removed by the work of Christ. That good works alone cannot remove the curse, does not mean that bad works will not bring the curse, if a person returns to sin and disobedience. Remember that Peter was writing to Christians when he said: the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Now I will discuss our freedoms to enjoy the goodness and blessing of God. This freedom allowed by God may be learned from the freedom which God gave to Adam and Eve. They were allowed to choose for themselves according to Genesis 2:16,17: The Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
It should be the same way with us as with Adam - most of the time we are free, but some things are forbidden. For example on holidays we can choose to go to the mountains to sight see, to the forests to bush walk or to the lakes to fish. But we may not go to Las Vegas to gamble.
Another freedom is that of marriage. A Christian is free to marry any good Christian they choose. As the Lord said of the daughters of Zelophehad: Let them marry to whom they think best. (Numbers 36:6) (A restriction was placed on these daughters, that they had to marry within their tribe - a restriction that is not particularly relevant today, except perhaps that one's wife should be prepared to support one in whatever work God has shown to be His will.) But what is relevant to my argument is that they were to marry not whom the Lord commands but rather: whom they think best. Nevertheless a good wife is given only by the Lord: House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the Lord. (Prov 19:14) She cannot be bought with money.
Many people associate obedience to God with hard rigour and endless self-denial. Whilst there is labour to do, and whilst there are things to deny, we must also be aware of our physical and emotional limitations. We should not think that God is finding it so difficult to keep the world going that we must help Him out by working all the time and never enjoying ourselves for the sake of joy itself. Solomon advises against excessive amounts of this self-sacrificial philosophy, which may cause people to have a mental breakdown. He says: Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? (Ecclesiastes 7:16) We should not misinterpret this verse as allowing sin or foolishness, but should rather interpret it as allowing joy, rest and recreation, the forbidding of which would be a false type of righteousness. Satan wants to make the life of a Christian misery so that they give up and sin. Often He does this by adding to God’s commandments, to forbid legitimate pleasures. A good understanding of God’s word is necessary to defeat Satan’s device.
Although from Genesis to Revelation God is commanding His people not to sin, nowhere does God say that it is a sin to enjoy oneself, for example by listening to music or walking through the forest, or by just simply relaxing. These are usually commands of human invention. And Solomon says: Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. (Proverbs 30:6) Of course if taking a walk through the forest prevents us from doing our duty for God or our fellow man, then it is a sin. But God never says that we must be working all day, every day.
If we were alone in this world without God's help, the alleviation of human suffering would depend entirely on our efforts, and then possibly it would be a sin to stop working and enjoy ourselves. But we are not alone; we are coworkers with God, and the fruit of our labours depends more upon God helping us, than upon our efforts. Therefore we only have to do our duty, whatever we perceive this to be, and then pray. God does the rest.
Some people think that the way to fulfilment is to sin by breaking God's commandments. But the way to fulfilment is not to sin, but to follow God, the true source of joy. He says: my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13) This living water is the same as that spoken of by Jesus that can satisfy the soul. The broken cisterns are sins, which people think will satisfy, but as they can hold no water, they do not. How illogical it is to believe that Satan's cisterns are better than God's fountain of living waters which flow from the Fatherly goodness of God.
Satan uses sin to deaden people emotionally. This is exemplified by the loss of the emotion of love of which Jesus says: And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (Matthew 24:12) When a person, sometimes through their own evil, has lost their normal range of good and wholesome emotions, be it love, zeal, hatred for evil, compassion etc, their emptiness drives them to seek evil pleasures which leave them even emptier. But when we come under the influence of good rather than evil we experience emotional and spiritual satisfaction. This provides some form of armour against the temptations of the flesh and spirit.