The Good Shepherd

    Many tongues. Many voices. Many messages. All of which are foreign to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Everyday people are perishing. Dying prematurely rather by the hands of another or by the hand of their broken spirit.

    Today's generation know the message and voices of those worldly idols when they speak. For example, right now it's the season of the Emmys and football. Ask a young person any news on these two worldly idols, I am sure they can have a broadcasting show of their own. Next, ask them who is the Good Shepherd", and you will have to bring the news on your own.

    The sad truth is not only are our young people perishing, but the adults are no longer having to say, you gone make me lose my religion when they get upset at someone; because truthfully speaking, many adults are losing their religion. 

    Why are so many losing their religion? Why are so many falling away from the truth? The only answer to these questions is they are listening to too many voices and responding negatively by following those voices when they speak. 

    Honestly, don't get me wrong. We all have done it. We have all heeded to the advertisers about the latest product or broadcast of our favorite showings and we've scheduled our lives accordingly. The latest television programming has programed us to follow their schedule in order to be a part of their programming. In doing so, many of us has intentionally missed bible study, Sunday school and/or Sunday morning worship service. This is a simple but very sneaky way to scatter the sheep from their Shepherd.

    

        Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). Jesus identified Himself as the good Shepherd because a good Shepherd has good intentions of the sheep in His heart. 

    When a person is hired for a position to complete a task for the owner, they are less likely to do the work with care and concern for the well-being of the business as the owner would. Why, because they are there for the paycheck. That's all. Therefore, if a robber comes in to rob the business, the owner may fight back while the worker runs and hide. The reason why is because the worker has nothing to lose. However, the owner has everything to lose. Therefore, the level of concern for the business is different between the two.

    The Shepherd's business is the sheep. Earthly shepherds expect worldly payments. While the good Shepherd has no interest in worldly payments. His only concern is to care for the well-being of the sheep that His Father has given Him. In doing so, He is determined to not lose one. 

                        "And 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).

        Now, let us look at the characteristics of "the good Shepherd". First of all, the good Shepherd is loving and caring. In the past, when someone is being hurt, they knew that they were not being loved by the one who is abusing them. However, in the society we live in today, too many people believe that if the one they are in a relationship with is not abusing them in some way or another, then they believe that he/she does not love them. Love doesn't hurt. However, people do hurt others when they do not know the true nature of love. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to "Casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you".

    Second, the good Shepherd is protective. A motivated speaker has the smooth words to enlighten our emotions because they know how to use the right words at the right time. However, they lack the Holy Spirit, that brings us security and salvation. The good Shepherd has the will power to bring more than just a form of hope. He is hope. He is also Salvation and the Resurrection. Lazareth was not the only person who Christ raised from the dead. He was the one that was in the tomb for four days and bought back to life from the grave. If Christ is willing to raise His chosen from the dead, then He is willing to protect them too. When the wolf comes, the good Shepherd will not run but stand firm for the fight. In fact, if you are ever facing a hungry wolf stand firm and don't run. If you run, the wolf will come for you. However, if you stand firm, the wolf will most likely walk away because the wolf likes to chase his prey. Remember, "As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep" (John 10:15).

    Last of all, the good Shepherd doesn't divide but does all that he can to keep the fold together. He is always willing to reach out to others to share the love and message of the Father. He will spread the Father's message to all even when others may feel that they are the only ones entitled to Christ's love. Christ said, "and other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall here my voice; and there shall be one-fold, and one shepherd" (John10:16). On the contrary, the hireling will only stay in the one spot that he has found success, until the wolf comes, and you will see him no more. Once the wolf has devoured the sheep he leaves; at which the hireling returns with his smooth sly words, to see the aftermath of the wolf. 

    As the sheep, we must know the difference between the Shepherd's voice and the hireling's voice. One voice is sincerely loving, the other voice is painfully cunning to all who will here its voice. Nevertheless, whichever voice you choose to answer to, just remember it was your choice.

Tyeshia Alston

@Tyeshia's Chronicles