The apostle John wrote how Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees, because he is a hireling, and cares not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of my sheep. The Father knows me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep”, and in chapter ten and verse sixteen of his book John shared how Jesus said, “other sheep I have, which are not of this fold” where we read:
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
The verse reads, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice;” John began with the words, “and other sheep I have” which means “and different or more four footed tame animals which are accustomed to graze”, “which are not of this fold” or “who do not belong to the sheepfold or flock”: “them also” which means “the other sheep even so and indeed” “I must bring” or “I, Jesus, need to conduct, lead, direct and move”, “and they shall hear my voice” which means “and the other sheep will be endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding my, Jesus', sound and tone of uttered words”. John shared how Jesus said He possessed “more” “sheep”, which represents groups of people who did not belong to the people to whom He was speaking, and Jesus said He would “direct and move” them as they would “perceive and understand” His “spoken words”.
The verse goes on to say, “and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” John continued with the words, “and there shall be one fold” which means “and there will become, arise, appear in history and come upon the stage a single flock or sheepfold”, “and one shepherd” or “and a single herdsman to whose care and control others have committed themselves”. John shared how Jesus said these people within the “other fold” will combine with those to whom He was ministering and there would be “a single” “sheepfold or flock” with a “sole” “herdsman” watching over them.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus knew about “other” people who would become part of His “sheepfold”, and the two groups would combine to be “a single fold”. God sent His Son Jesus to “all the world”, and both Jew and Gentiles become part of the Kingdom of God when they believe and trust in Jesus. God loves everybody, and His desire is to have a “family” of believers from around the world who yield themselves to His Son Jesus. John the apostle, speaking of Jesus, wrote in Revelation chapter five and verses nine and ten, “You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Let every person reading these words become part of the “one fold” belonging to Jesus Christ.
Next time John shares how Jesus says, “therefore does my Father love me, because I lay down my life", so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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