Jesus Christ: The All-Inclusive Good Shepherd!”

“Jesus Christ: The All-Inclusive Good Shepherd!”(Jn.10:11-16).
“We and them” was the unwritten code of Judaism. Any religion that is exclusive sets boundaries of extension. Family or tribal religion belongs to the family or tribe. New converts can only be by consangenious births or by marriage.
The Lord Jesus Christ challenged such exclusivism and made it clear that he Christ is without boarders. Sometimes we the Gentile believers are accused of becoming fanatics of another people’s religion. That is not true! Christ is universal. Christ is without boarders! Christ is for all peoples everywhere!
He told his Jewish audience, “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.”
Our Lord Jesus Christ is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. He knows his sheep and his sheep knows him.
Those who shepherd in Christ’s name should be gatherers and not scatterers! Good shepherds after their master must go out for the lost sheep and bring them into the sheep pen.
All believers are like sheep who knows the shepherd in the same way that the shepherd knows them.
God in Christ Jesus is himself our shepherd and he risks his all for our best.
I know with certainty that “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me besides quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever”(Ps.23).
Sunday prayer: Lord Jesus Christ thank you for being such a good shepherd laying down your life for my protection. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.