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He Is Our Good Shepherd
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“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am,” here is one of these great
“I Am” statements, “I am the door of the sheep.” Then someone who comes through the door
comes through Him, comes by Him, and if someone comes up another way, they’re not a real
shepherd, and they have ulterior motives. They are there for something else.
Paul was telling some individuals about Timothy. He said, “I don’t have anyone likeminded like
him because all seek their own, but he cares for you like I do” (Philippians 2:19,20). I
paraphrased a little bit, but that’s what he said.
So many people are looking for something else. They’re trying to build their own thing. They’re
trying to feather their own nest. But a real shepherd’s first concern is the welfare of his sheep, the
condition of the sheep. So anyone who is a true shepherd, a true leader, is going to come through
the door. The Lord is the One Who brought them in. He’s the One Who did it, and not just
elected by some committee. Did you know that some are sent and some just went? There are a
lot of them, and there are all kinds of churches that change pastors like changing the sheets on
the bed. They just do it every year or two, whether they feel like they need it or not, just to shake
things up. Well, all of that can’t be God—all of this changing, appointing, and moving. People
are missing it, and it costs the church. You have people who come in knowing they’re not going
to be there for more than a year or two. There are some good people who are doing these things,
but some are just seeing what they can get out of it.
But Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He’s not just seeing what He can get out of you. His first
concern is taking care of you.
He said in verse 3, “He that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the
porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth
them out.” Aren’t you glad you have Someone leading you? You’re going to have Someone
leading you in the morning, and tomorrow afternoon, and on the job and at home. You have
Someone leading you in every decision that you need to make. He’s leading you.
“He calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own
sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”
He’s not the good cowboy. Cowboys
drive
the herd. But shepherds lead. That’s why He said
shepherds instead of something else. You might ask why I’m emphasizing that. Because it’s up
to the flock whether they follow or not; nobody is behind them pushing them or driving them.
The Shepherd calls me, saying, “Come on. Come on Keith. Come on,” and it’s my decision
whether I go or not, right?
Now, if I had any sense, I would know there are tigers out there. And He knows where the good
water is, and He knows where the good pasture is. He knows where the protected coves are and
the shelters. He knows, and I don’t, so if I was smart, when He says, “Keith!” what would I do? I
would trot. I would run until I bumped into His leg. “Here I am. You have something good for
me today, don’t You? I am Your sheep. I’ll stay with You.”