Title: The Three Rituals of the Good Shepherd
The Gospel of John (65) The Three Rituals of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-21)
1. Ceremony of calling
The Lord called Himself the “Good Shepherd” (verses 11, 14). This means that there are also 'false shepherds'. Sometimes it upsets me to hear of some pastors' misconduct, but don't be too pessimistic about that fact. Such problems have always existed since history. Where there is truth, there is also lies. Therefore, pray for a good shepherd, and furthermore, dream of being a good shepherd. The Bible says, “You are a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). When you become the Good Shepherd, the world becomes a little bit better.
To become a good shepherd, you must first have a clear sense of calling. The biggest problem with the labor shepherd is that he does not even recognize that he is a laborer. Therefore, constantly recognize and confess that you have received the calling of the Good Shepherd. “I have been saved, and I have been called to be the good shepherd of neighbor love!” If you do not recognize your holy calling, you cannot live the life of a good shepherd, and there is a high possibility of being teased by a false shepherd. In fact, the ‘wager shepherd’ and ‘wager sheep’ are a joint product.
Why are there paid shepherds? This is because there are laborer sheep who are full of greed to pursue ‘ups and downs. The teachings of the Good Shepherd cannot work for the greedy “wager sheep” who seek only visible material and physical blessings. The hired sheep and the good shepherd do not get along. Furthermore, the dark world and the Good Shepherd do not get along. Therefore, the good shepherd naturally faces many adversity, so the sense of calling to overcome adversity must be clear.
2. Sacrifice
The Lord's sacrifice was thorough (verses 15, 18). If you forsake yourself, you will be rejected forever, and people are afraid of rejection, but if you lay down your life, you gain your life, and furthermore, you receive the love of God (verse 17). ‘Forsaking’ and ‘gaining’ are twins. There is gain in forsaking. Today, many people want to gain but avoid abandonment, but God does not give the way to gain by omitting the way of abandonment, but gives the way to gain after passing through the way of forsaking.
The false shepherd sacrifices others and sits like Pharaoh in Egypt, saying, “Bring more offerings! Work more.” Unlike the false shepherds who show off their strength and wealth, just thinking about Jesus brings tears to their eyes. Because it entered the heart of the saints through the sacrifice of the cross. True ministry comes only when we die. Without tears and death, it is impossible to enter the hearts of the sheep, so the path of the Good Shepherd cannot be taken without tears and death.
Not only the shepherd, but also the sheep must die after the shepherd. Only then can you enter the heart of the juniors who follow you, the heart of the shepherd who leads you, and further into the heart of Jesus. If you cannot enter the heart of Jesus, you are just a ‘member’, but if you enter into the heart of Jesus, you become a ‘saint’. Now, while making a dedication in tears, become a wonderful and good saint who can smile without showing the dedication.
3. Child consciousness
The Lord fully knows our circumstances (verse 14), and He hears the voice of life whenever we need it (verse 16). A person's power to kill himself comes from his 'deep relationship with the Lord'. When the Lord entrusted Peter with the shepherd, he did not ask, “Are you well prepared for the ministry?” nor did he ask, “Do you love the sheep?” I just asked, "Do you love me?" The source of ministry is the implicit question of “a deep relationship with the Lord.” The success of the ministry does not come from a 'good human relationship full of friendship', but is given from a 'good relationship with the Lord overflowing with grace'
David said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1) Even if you believe, you still have difficulties, but it means that you are satisfied with God as your shepherd. A deep relationship with the Lord will help you overcome any difficulties. If you are feeling dissatisfied, empty, anxious, lonely, and frustrated right now, there is only one reason. This is not because of circumstances, but because they do not have God as their shepherd, and they do not have a clear sense of being a child of God.
Be content in God as a child of God. If you go out with that kind of faith, God will most appropriately meet the needs of your children. Do many saints today live with the same anxiety and stress as unbelievers? Because they do not believe in God's provision. God has fed those children up to now and will continue to feed them and take responsibility for them. If you believe in that fact and live according to God's will, God will surely fill you with abundant things.