Page images
PDF
EPUB

yet they run. Jer. xxiii. 21.-These false prophets prophesy out of their own hearts. Ezek. xiii. 2.-Pharisees, without a Divine vocation, set themselves up as Teachers. No legal knowledge, nor ceremonial observances avail to admit.

By the door. Gr. through the door.

Door or gate. Made of wood, stone, brass, or iron, two-leaved, plated and locked.-Near the town gate was an open space, where business was transacted. Ruth iv. 1.-A place for news. 2 Sam. xv. 2.-People sat to converse. 1 Kings xvii. 10.-The traveller now finds this in every town in Egypt and Palestine.— A place of public audience. Ezek. xi. 1.-Of the administration of justice. Est. iv. 2.-Equivalent to Government. Matt. xvi. 18.-Hence "Porte," Turkey's sovereignty.-Of public markets which still are held at Oriental gates. 2 Kings vii. 17.-Altars for sacrifice usually stood near the gates. Acts xiv. 13.-Gates of cities guarded carefully at nightfall. Deut. iii. 5.-Among Romans, porters were often chained there to be always present to open them. At the destruction of Pompeii, some of these porters perished in their chains.-Chambers over the gateways used by sentinels. 2 Sam. xviii. 33.—And by Priests in Egypt.-Private gates often highly ornamented, sentences written over them.-In Egypt locked with wooden or iron keys, or sealed with clay. Job xxxviii. 14.-Gates of Palace at Ispahan, sanctuary for criminals. Chardin.-Solomon covered his gates of the Holy place of olive wood with pure gold.-The gates of the temple were of fir. Herod covered the gates of the temple with gold or silver.The "Beautiful Gate was made entirely of Corinthian brass.As Christ entered on His work by the door appointed by the Father, so pastors must not take this honour on themselves. Heb. v. 4.-Pastors must enter through the authorities of the church. To adopt the calling simply as a trade, is not to enter through the door. He who waits at God's altar must love the service above all other callings.

[ocr errors]

Sheepfold. Church in Old Test. often noted under the word "flock;" "and ye are My flock, the flock of My pasture, and I am your God." Ezek. xxxiv. 31.-" He shall feed His flock like a shepherd," &c. Isa. xl. 11.-"The Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep." Heb. xiii. 20.-The universal church the fold, Israel the peculiar fold.-Possibility of there being "other folds " alluded to in verse 16. Sheepfold. Some think He stood near where the sacrificial sheep were kept, others, where the tinkling bells were sounding from the folded herd.-Israel was the sheep of God's pasture, and the Church His fold.-The Scribes and Pharisees, such as they were,

were shepherds.-Here described as intruders; ignoring Christ, they were wrong in everything. ALL HANGS ON HIM.-Sheepfolds, in our country, are loose rails or hurdles put slightly together. In the East, they are strong substantial stone buildings with gates.-Wild beasts, as the bear, the lion, the jackall, found in Palestine. From time of autumnal rains to the vernal equinox, no flocks left in the fields.-Succoth proves Jacob built houses for himself and flocks. Gen. xxxiii. 17.-Pharaoh's pious servants drove their flocks into houses. Ex. ix. 20.-Hezekiah provided out of royal bounty cotes for the flocks. 2 Chron. xxxii. 28.The idea of a fold is inseparable from that of a flock.-Each member of the flock bears relations to the entire Church of Chris. Climbeth.

Those not related to Christ as believers, "climb up," &c., cannot lead a flock.-There is but ONE door to the fold, all others are closed. The enemy pretends to show other doors, but they lead to death.—A thousand broad ways lead from heaven, but only one "narrow way" to it.-Usurping it for attaining ease, or a living, or social position, or preferment full of peril.False doctrines draw myriads away from the chief shepherd, and those under Him.-He who nullifies trath, deadens conscience, and murders the soul. John viii. 44.

Thief. shut.

A secret stealing-asks not for the door-cares not if it is

Robber. An open plunderer; in contrast with thief, one spoiling the innocent in secret.-Pharisee shepherds entered without faith in His name; they were not ministers of Messiah, not preparers of His way. They were followers of a false god and a false messiah.Pride, prejudice, fanaticism make the worst of thieves. Souls immortal are their spoils, treasures of heaven are lost." As troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder," &c. Hos. vi. 9.-" Causing men to stumble at the law" robs them of their best portion. Mal. ii. 8.-Our Lord testifies that these guardians of the fold are to be removed.-In turn they denied His miracles, rejected His claims as Messiah.-Paul, a true undershepherd desired to know nothing save Jesus Christ.

'Auny. This occurred at Jerusalem a he feast of dedication. Robinson. Chap. I. ought to begin at chap. ix. 35. Meyer, Lücke. First twenty-two verses spoken at another time. Schulz. The more this gospel is studied, the more the connection appears. Alford. Uttered on Olivet. Stanley. With sheep grazing in sight. Maurice. Could not our Lord utter a parable in the Temple Court, about sowing seed, or tending flocks? Author.

'Auv. Haters of the Bible by their passions, point out those truths peculiar to the Gospel plan. Nelson. With this high assurance our Lord never begins a dis

course. Heumann. Connected with John ix. 40, &c., Hengst. Implied double assurance. Trapp. This comparison an allegory. Trench. Not a parable. Lange. A prophetic allegory. Greswell. Not a history. Meyer. This only parable in John the deepest, the solidest, sweetest, serenest, surest view of spiritual christianity. Knox.

nuels rupaoí-of official pride connects this with the last chapter. Stier.

Xeyw. Verses 1-6, all referred to Christ. Neander. In part. Schleier. His answer to the accusation of the Pharisees. Lampe. They called Him ȧuaprwλós. He describes them as wolves prowling round the fold. Bloomfield.

ὑμῖν. His hearers must have thought themselves meant. Stier. This allegory surpasses any work of human genius in its exquisite simplicity, its truth to nature, its vivacity and clearness of thought, its elegance and purity of style. Greswell. Oúpas. The scriptures. Chrys., Theoph.

avany. The bounded inheritance of Israel under the Theocracy, not the narrow penfold a church. Stier. Door and porter have no distinctive import in the fable. Lücke. Members, the sheep, avλn the kingdom, and Oúpa the Divine calling. The door of the sheep, not the sheepfold. Hengstenberg.

KλÉTTηs. Secret fraud.

Anors. Open fraud by violence. Grotius. Matt. xxi. 13, den of robbers not "thieves." Luke xxiii. 42: the penitent "robber" Trench. All not ordained by Romish bishops are thieves and murderers, as Arius, Calvin, Luther.-Rheimish Notes.

2. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Door. Implies he is the owner and has a personal knowledge of the sheep. He enters in an open, regular and peaceable manner as the master. But these intruders, wicked rulers, sat in Moses' seat, but were strangers to Moses' spirit.-A divine call, as well as the "laying on the hands of the presbytery," is necessary to qualify for the ministry.-Christ's under-shepherds must bear a direct commission from Him, and endorsed by the Holy Ghost if they would do God's work.-1. An immediate call by the Head accompanied always by the necessary gifts. 2. A mediate call: -(1.) A sincere love to God and the work of Christ.-Peter expressing this love heard the command, "Feed my sheep." (2.) An overcoming desire to preach the Gospel. 1 Tim. iii. 1. (3.) An inward call sustained by corresponding efforts to qualify oneself.-Minister or pastor ought to be: 1. A man of piety. 2. Of wisdom, 3. Of knowledge. 4. Of prayer.

5. Of self-denial. 6. Of heavenly mindedness. 7. Of heavenly conversation. 8. Of exemplary life. 9. Of meekness. 10. Of zeal and diligence. 11. Of intense love for his flock. 12. Of sensibility. 13. Of faithfulness in declaring the whole counsel of God. 14. Of simplicity of speech and manners. 15. Anxious about success. 16. Faithful in pastoral duties. 17. Sustaining discipline. 18. Careful of the religion of his own family. 19. Studious.-Smith on "The Sacred Office." Shepherd. See verse 11. word denotes a number shepherd as bearing a

"The " is wanting in the Greek: the of shepherds.—Our Lord is called a relation to His sheep.-A door as

[ocr errors]

He introduces us to the Father. This word, a sermon on the duties of each pastor.-Jacob and Joseph call Christ "The Shepherd,' Gen. xlix 24.-Moses is styled the shepherd of the flock of God. Isa. Ixiii. 11.-Messiah is set forth as having the gentlest attributes of a shepherd.-Kings were generally described under the pastoral character. Jer. xii. 10.; Micah. v. 5.; Nahum, iii. 18; Zech. x. 3.-The undertone is "I AM THE TRUE SHEPHERD.-I entered the door and am sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."-Door is lowly, as our Lord stooped to the depth of humiliation to enter.Any one now exalting himself climbs up some other way.-No man can be such a shepherd, except through Christ.-As one torch kindles another, so human pastors receive from Christ all the gifts of office: 1. Able to rule. 2. Apt to teach. 3. Gentle, both learned and loving.-A shepherd must feed the lambs, as well as the sheep.—A pastor that has no capacity of interesting the young, loses about two-thirds his opportunity of being useful.-Our risen Lord to Peter: "Feed my lambs."-Children form a large portion of congregations.-They are far more accessible, far more docile and hopeful than adults.-Pastors unconsciously stand before children as transparent as glass. It is a serious mistake that to teach a youthful mind, but slender abilities are needed. The deeper the darkness, the greater the need of light. -The Sanhedrim were called of God to be shepherds of His flock. Matt. xxiii. 3.-But they withheld food both from the lambs and the sheep.-They offered chaff or stubble instead of healthy nourishing pasture.-The flock was starved, and the cry of the famishing came up to the Throne. Thus, there are many lawfully called to the ministry, but barrenness and spiritual death are the only results of their labours.-"Woe to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves, but feed not the flock." Ezek. xxxiv. 2, 4.-Without faith, humility, love, self-denial, sad will be their account.

Sheep. Its name in Hindoo is the "timid one," prone to wander. -Sheep, though silly, yet quick to detect their shepherd's voice, and clever enough to cling to him, as long as they are able to follow.-Well-known as harmless, trustful, helpless, patient, feeble, yet docile.-By its very nature, it seems to require the protection of a shepherd.-The wolf, leopard, lion, &c., are made to win their food and fight their own battle.-They who hear not the shepherd's voice are goats not sheep.-Sheep have been necessary to man in every land and people.-They have never become wild, like most other domestic animals.-Their relation is one of absolute dependence, balanced by reciprocal benefits. With Christ's flock their confiding helplessness begets a

mutual endearment.-As sheep are perfectly dependent, the rights of the shepherd are complete.-Sheep are relatively inferior, the shepherd superior.-Constant defence and support are needed by the flock.-Unremitting care, vigilance, and protection are due from the shepherd.-Affection of the sheep, tenderness of the shepherd.—The shepherd has no mercenary trust, nor is he of a doubtful affection. He will love his flock as he loves himself, and their welfare as his own.-1. They are wandering in their nature. Instinct leads many animals to go back to their home, but true to their nature, sheep seldom return. Sinners never, unless brought back by the Good Shepherd. 2. All agree to wander, though they differ in everything else. Sinners differ, contend even to blood, but all agree to forsake the path of life. 3. Sheep are content in their wandering though exposed constantly to destruction. Sinners flatter themselves all is well. 4. Various paths of danger all end in one at last-eternal RUIN. Truth is one. One Ark, one Bible, one Saviour, one Faith, one Heaven.

ποιμήν. A shepherd, article is wanting. Greswell. One asking, Do you think I am called to the ministry? I answer, No, if your conscience will permit you to do anything else. Breckenridge. "I fear I am hiding my talents." said one. "The more you keep them hidden, the better for the Church." Rowland Hill. I have shaken your napkin, and I find no talent there. R. Hall. A legitimate aiming at God's glory, salvation of men, and perfect consecration to His service. Quesnel. eloeρxóμevos. Shepherds always enter by the door. Campbell. He entering by the door is especially the shepherd. Bloomfield. He who reaches the flock by Me, is an authorized teacher Kuinoel. Questioned as to this usus loquendi. Tittmann. Oúpas. A door of liberty, of grace, of truth, of freedom, of purity. Alb. Magnus. πроẞáτшv. Domestic sheep, a legacy of paradise, none of them like other beasts ever lapsed into wildness. Wagner. No similitude in nature, so descriptive of the dependence and helplessness of man. Steinmeyer. Not the good and the bad in the visible church, but real believers. Alford.

3. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

Porter.

An Oriental picture of surpassing beauty and fitness.— In the evening the flock is gathered into the fold, an open walled place.-Wealthy Hebrews kept a porter. Ezek. xliv. 11. Greeks had a freedman.-A porter stands in close relation to the shepherd himself, and having care of the flock in the pasture and fold, spritually represents under-shepherds, each representing the chief shepherd.

Openeth. The shepherd is known to the porter because with the flock. The sheep also know there own shepherd, as well as he knoweth their cry." No man can come to Me, except the Father draw him." John vi. 44.-God opened a door of faith unto the

« PreviousContinue »