GENEROSITY

 Acts 2:42-47; 1 Peter 2:19-25; John 10:1-10

Introduction

The word "Good" is mostly used in two basic forms. It is used in a moral sense as well as in quality. For instance, being a good teacher, good farmer or good musician does not necessarily mean they are morally good, meanwhile, morally decayed persons use their own hands to destroy any good quality in them. It means they are good at what they do; teaching, farming, or music. It means being excellent, beautiful, or virtuous in what you do. You can say, I'm a good pastor … yeah! 

Good Shepherd is figuratively used by Jesus to indicate the ideal shepherd, the perfect example of what a shepherd ought to be.

On three (3) separate occasions in the New Testament Jesus is attributed to as an exceptional Shepherd; the author of Hebrews calls Him the Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20), the apostle Peter refers to Him as the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4), and the Christ Himself declared Himself as the Good Shepherd.

Jesus used this similitude from the customs of the ancient Palestinians, the way they managed their sheep. Humanity, as created by God, depends on Him and is referred to as the sheep of His pasture. 

Christ, the Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep

In the parable, Jesus distinguishes between the shepherd and the robber. The shepherd does things in the right way by entering through the door. The thief sneaks in without the awareness of the gatekeeper (John 10:1-3). The shepherd knows and calls his sheep and they follow him because they also know his voice. Jesus linked it saying, "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me" John 10:13-14 (ESV). 

Christ, the Good Shepherd knows all His sheep and those who are not. He adds to the flock - Church "day by day those who are being saved". Beloved, we cannot be certain on who is saved and who is not, although Jesus did say by their fruits you will know them. But Christ, the Good Shepherd knows the sheep from the goats. He knows wolves in sheep's clothing. He knows those who truly trust and depend solely on Him for life and those who are just putting on a show on the outside. Jesus knows His sheep, and His sheep know Him. Do you know Christ Jesus?

"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." Acts 2:42 (ESV) Are you a devoted Christian or a wolf snatching the lambs from the Church in secret under the pretense of Christian service?

The Good Shepherd goes before the sheep to set the path for them. He guards the sheep by His providence, guides them by His Spirit and Word, and goes before them as the Eastern shepherds goes before their sheep to set them in the way of their steps. The Good Shepherd leads, whiles, the thief chases the flock.

In practice, the Christian leader must set examples in service to the flock of God in all spiritual and physical concerns. The sheep of Christ will hear His voice and be cautious and stay away from thieves and robbers who would draw them away from the faith. 

When Jesus said, “I am the door for the sheep,” He spoke about giving life to the sheep – giving you true spiritual, eternal, abundant life. Any other known and used doorway(s) is/are misleading. The Good Shepherd is the only way to the sheepfold - God's Kingdom. He is the great Mediator between God and humanity.

What example does Christ, the Good Shepherd gives us?

Christ the Good Shepherd lays down His life.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep." John 10:11-13 (ESV)

The Good Shepherd lays down His life indicating that He does this personally, willingly, and intentionally. From John 10:11-18, Jesus uses the phrase "lay down my life" five (5) times. He says, "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord." John 10:18 (ESV). "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 (ESV)

Jesus laid down His life so that we, the flock of God will have life. In the past, thousands of sheep were sacrificed as sin offerings for their shepherds but now, Christ, the Good Shepherd sacrificed Himself for the sheep.

By law, in the Mishnah, a hired servant is free to run when two wolves attack the flock and will only be held responsible when he runs from one wolf leaving the sheep in danger. Jesus says, "He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep." John 10:13 (ESV). Jesus cares about us because we were created by Him and in Him, all things hold together including you and me (Col. 1:16-17). Christ willingly laid down His life for us so that we may have life in abundance.

As apostle Peter reflects on Christ's suffering and works, he says to us, "For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." 1 Peter 2:25 (ESV) Christ, the Good Shepherd laid down His life for us so that we would save our souls.

Christ has commissioned Ministers of the Gospel and all Christian leaders to be good shepherds of His flock. "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock." 1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV)

Christ, the Good Shepherd has conquered death. 

"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. … This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:17-18 (ESV)

No shepherd or hired hands could ever conquer death for his sheep. Once the shepherd laid down his life for the sheep, that shepherd’s life was over and done with. He could no longer take care of the sheep. But not so with Christ, the Good Shepherd. He says, "For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again." John 10:17 (ESV)

Christ’s death on the cross at Calvary shows both the love of the Father and the Son. God the Father sent his only Son to lay down His life for us. Christ Jesus willingly gave up His life to bring us salvation. Think about it. God the Father loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you. The reason God the Father loves the Son is that Jesus willingly laid down His life for His people.

Jesus says, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” He was not martyred. No one had the power to take his life from him. When Pilate said, "Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” John 19:10 (ESV) Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above." John 19:11 (ESV) Christ the Good Shepherd could have stopped the crucifixion at any time, but He didn’t. He chose to go to the cross for you and for me. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. "I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:18 (ESV)

Conclusion

Who is your shepherd today? What kind of care does your shepherd provide for you? Does he lead you in green pastures, beside the still waters? Does he restore your soul? Does he guide you in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake?

You see, only Christ, the Good Shepherd can do these for you. He is the one who lays down His life for you and me. He is the one who knows His sheep in a close, personal relationship. He is the one who has conquered sin and death. Christ is the Good Shepherd, and there is no other. Will you yield your life to him? Pray and invite Him to Shepherd your life.

Shalom aleikhem...