The names of Jesus in the book of revelation – Part 36
In the Bible lies the book of Revelation
“Shepherd” cont’
“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (Jn 10:16).
The “other sheep” were non-Jews. Jesus came to save Gentiles as well as Jews.
This is an insight into His worldwide mission — to die for the sins of the world.
People tend to restrict God’s blessings to their own group, but Jesus refuses to be limited by the fences we build.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (Jn 10:27)
“My sheep hear my voice.” Those who are true sheep of Christ obey His voice and follow Him; they are in constant fellowship with the shepherd.
“Hear” and “follow” are in the present tense, denoting repeated or habitual activity.
To those who are following, the shepherd gives eternal life. Those sheep that stray from the shepherd and refuse to listen prove that they are not His sheep (15:1-6)
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (Jn 10:28)
“they shall never perish.” Here is a precious promise given to all who are Christ’s sheep.
They will never be banished from God’s love or presence, nor will any power or circumstances on earth take them from the shepherd (cf. Rom 8:35-39).
There is, indeed, safety and security for even the weakest sheep that follows and listens to the good shepherd.
The parable of the lost sheep. Luke 15:1-7.
“Parable,” “Parable” (Gk parabolēn) means “a type, figure, symbol or illustration” drawn by Jesus from ordinary life to teach a spiritual lesson, most often the kingdom of God.
Sometimes, the parables of Jesus are extended metaphors.
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?” (Lk 15:4)
“that which is lost.” The key verse in Luke’s Gospel states, “the Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost” (19:10).
The three parable in Ch. 15 illustrate this purpose of Jesus’ earthly mission and reveal God’s desire to save the lost for time and eternity.
We learn that (1) seeking lost sinners to bring them to redemption is of utmost importance to God’s heart (vv. 4,8,20,24); (2) both God and heaven rejoice, when even one sinner repents (vv7, 10); and (3) no amount of sacrifice or suffering is too great in seeking the lost and bringing them to Jesus (vv4,8)
“I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” (Lk 15:7)
“joy … in heaven.” God and the angels in heaven have such love, compassion and grief for those who have fallen into sin and spiritual death that when one sinner repents, they openly rejoice.
On God’s love for sinners, see Is 62:5; Jer 32:41; Ezek 18:23,32; Hos 11:8; John 3:16; Rom 5:6-11; 2 Pet 3:9.
The parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost coin (Lk 15:8-10) and Lost son (Lk 15:11-32) follow each other.
In the first two parables, the seeker actively looked for the sheep and the coin, which could not return by itself. In this story of the lost son, the father watched and waited.
He was dealing with a human being with a will of his own, but he was ready to greet his son if he returned.
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