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May our complete and utter faith in the Word of God enable the Holy Spirit to have
full access to our minds and so yield acceptable service to the Lord Jesus Christ.
No.10.
Chapter 10:
pp. 92 - 96
This chapter (10:) centres largely on a parable of sheep, their shepherd, their pasture
and their enemies. In verse 6 it is written: "They understood not what things they were
which He spoke unto them". The thing is, do we understand? The figures we refer to
above, represent factors in our life today. The words of our Lord are precious to us and
vitally important, but if their deep import is missed how tragic the loss for us.
The Good Shepherd is the Lord Jesus Christ and His own sheep are those who believe
on His Name. What of the pasture, the most important thing in the life of a sheep? Turn
to John 21: 15 and onwards. Peter is being exhorted by the Lord to care for His flock
after His ascension:
John 21: 15
Feed (bosko--pasture)
My lambs (arnion--a little lamb, the immature believer).
John 21: 16
Feed (pornaino--tend as a shepherd)
My sheep (probaton--an adult sheep, the developing believer).
John 21: 17
Feed (bosko--pasture)
My sheep (probaton).
Again, turn to Peter's epistles to see how he carried out this charge with the help of
the Holy Spirit:
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby"
(I Pet. 2: 2).
The first principles are recommended for study for the beginner. (cp. Heb. 5: 12-14).
"We have also a more sure (steadfast) word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that
ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the
day star (light bearer) arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the
Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by
the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost"
(II Pet. 1: 19-21).
Peter is adding to his personal witness of the person of Christ by referring the believer
to God's authorized record of His Son's act and words especially at that time to the O.T.
with its education by types and prophetic words concerning Christ's advent. The
reference to the dawn and the day star gives a beautiful picture of the believer growing
spiritually nearer to his Lord by patient attention to His Word and so becoming a `light