Bible Pathways - November 4, 2005

November 4

Read John 9

In Today's Reading:

Healing the man born blind; Jesus, the Good Shepherd; religious leaders desire to stone Jesus

The religious authorities in Israel were considered the shepherds of Israel; but they were false, self-serving leaders, as Ezekiel had foretold: Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? (Ezekiel 34:2). Ezekiel had then revealed the True Shepherd of Israel: I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them (the saved believers), even My Servant David. . . . And I the LORD will be their God, and My Servant David a prince among them. . . . I will make with them a Covenant of Peace (34:22-25). This is usually understood to be the Messiah Jesus who would come through David's lineage and who will fulfill this promise during His thousand-year reign.

Jesus identified Himself with this prophecy of Ezekiel when He said: I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. . . an hireling . . . seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. . . . I am the Good Shepherd. . . . and I lay down My life for the sheep (John 10:11-15).

One of the distinguishing marks of a Christian is knowing their own Shepherd's voice and recognizing the need for guidance from the Lord to follow the Good Shepherd. The sheep follow Him: for they know His voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him (10:4-5).

The Holy Spirit led the Apostle Paul to write: Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting Covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).

Jesus also said: I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them (to) Me, is greater than all (John 10:28-29). Here Jesus reveals Himself as both coequal and coeternal with God the Father. How comforting it is to be assured that we have Jesus the Great Shepherd caring for us

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop (overseer) of your souls (I Peter 2:25).

Word Studies:

10:3 porter = doorkeeper; 10:41 resorted = came.

Cross Reference:

For John 10:34: See Psalm 82:6.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Mrs. Ruth Day and Dr. Sara B Griggs · Staff: Rick Hash · Government Official: Secretary Carlos Gutierrez (Department of Commerce) · Country: Tibet (population unknown) (province of China) in eastern Asia · Major language: Tibetan · The Chinese government is still committed to promoting atheism, while at the same time, officially permitting Lamaism (a form of Buddhism) · No religious statistics are available, but at one time all were Lamaists · Lamaism was all but exterminated by Chinese invaders in the 1950s, but it is now permitted under strict control · Prayer Suggestion: Sing praises to the Lord; tell others what He has done (Psalm 9:11).

Memory Verse for the Week: Hebrews 3:15