Christ the Good Shepherd

Extract

Christ the Good Shepherd
Robert Murray M’Cheyne

The True and False Shepherd

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But 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. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them” John 10:1-6.

We learn, dear brethren, from the sixth verse, that this passage is one of considerable difficulty. How much need then have I of a fresh baptism that I may speak rightly from it; and how much need have you to have your heart opened, as was that of Lydia, that you may attend unto the things that are spoken, if you would understand them. “This parable spake Jesus unto them; but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.”

Let us notice:
(1). The false shepherd. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”
(2). The true shepherd. “But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”
(3). The character of the sheep, which I fear I will not have time to enter upon.
First of all let us meditate for a little on what is said of the false shepherd. And we shall consider: (1). Who the false shepherd is; (2). What is the mark of the false shepherd? (3). What is the object of the false shepherd?
(1). Who the false shepherd is. It seems evident that this chapter is a continuation of the last. Christ had been speaking of the …