The True Shepherd
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."
(John 10:1-5)
The Good Shepherd
...“Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know 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 will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes 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 command I have received from My Father.”
(John 10:7-18)
The Shepherd Knows His Sheep
...“The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”
(John 10:25-30)
Jesus' words are true. He does not mince His words. Jesus is the only way, truth and life. Only He is the Door. Only He is the Shepherd. No one else. No other man, woman, leader, government, pastor, priest, rabbi. No one. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) Anyone we place in higher esteem than Christ is wrong. Only He laid down His life for our sins. Only He has risen again. Only He offers eternal life with the Father (As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father)...if we know Him. Has He called you? Have you heard about Him? Have you responded? Do you know Him? Has He called you by name? Do you know His voice? Do you follow another voice? If you aren't sure, ask Him to reveal Himself. Read the Gospel of John. He will tell you all about Himself. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
The sheep come to the Good Shepherd. They know He can be trusted. Why not allow yourself to trust Him?
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