John 10:11 (NASB95) 11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

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1 Shepherds and Sheep By Mark Mayberry 6/7/2015 INTRODUCTION David famously declared, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psa. 23:1-6). Psalm 23:1-6 (NASB95) 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Exhorting all men to praise God, the 100 th Psalm affirms, We are His people and the sheep of His pasture (Psa. 100:1-5, esp. vs. 3). Psalm 100:1-5 (NASB95) 1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. 3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. 5 For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations. The New Testament echoes these themes, applying the symbolism of shepherds to our Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:11, 14-15), and to those in positions of spiritual leadership who watch in behalf of our souls (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:25-32). John 10:11 (NASB95) 11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:14-15 (NASB95) 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 21:15-17 (NASB95) 15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord; You know that I love You. He said to him, Tend My lambs. 16 He said to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord; You know

2 that I love You. He said to him, Shepherd My sheep. 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You. Jesus said to him, Tend My sheep. Acts 20:25-32 (NASB95) 25 And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 26 Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. In contrast with unbelievers who neither hear nor heed, Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand (John 10:24-30, esp. vs ). John 10:24-30 (NASB95) 24 The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father s name, these testify of Me. 26 But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father s hand. 30 I and the Father are one. When our Lord depicted the final judgment, sheep symbolize the saved (Matt. 25:31-33). Matthew 25:31-33 (NASB95) 31 But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. In this lesson, we consider those qualities manifested by Jesus Christ, the Good/Great Shepherd of the sheep. By extension, let us also reflect upon our corresponding duty, as sheep and/or shepherds.

3 JESUS CHRIST IS THE GOOD/GREAT SHEPHERD In contrast with hirelings, thieves and robbers, Jesus Christ is the True Shepherd of the sheep (John 10:1-6, esp. vs. 2, 3, & 4). John 10:1-6 (NASB95) 1 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers. 6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. His sacrificial spirit differs from false shepherds who are interested only in themselves: Hired hands flee from danger (John 10:11-13) while thieves/robbers devour and destroy (John 10:1, 7-10). John 10:11-13 (NASB95) 11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep. John 10:1 (NASB95) 1 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. John 10:7-10 (NASB95) 7 So Jesus said to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Bringing Salvation Jesus Christ brings the promise of eternal salvation to sinful men. This message was first preached to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 10:5-7; cf. Acts 3:25-26; Rom. 1:16). Matthew 10:5-7 (NASB95) 5 These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; 6 but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Acts 3:25-26 (NASB95) 25 It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, And in your seed all

4 the families of the earth shall be blessed. 26 For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways. Romans 1:16 (NASB95) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Yet, even with the restricted nature of His earthly ministry, Jesus showed mercy to those who humbly sought His favor (Matt. 15:21-28, esp. vs. 24). Matthew 15:21-28 (NASB95) 21 Jesus went away from there, and withdrew into the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed. 23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, Send her away, because she keeps shouting at us. 24 But He answered and said, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, Lord, help me! 26 And He answered and said, It is not good to take the children s bread and throw it to the dogs. 27 But she said, Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters table. 28 Then Jesus said to her, O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish. And her daughter was healed at once. Healing the Sick Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, healed those who were sick, lame, blind, etc. (Matt. 12:9-14, esp. vs. 11 & 12). Matthew 12:9-14 (NASB95) 9 Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath? so that they might accuse Him. 11 And He said to them, What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath. 13 Then He said to the man, Stretch out your hand! He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him. Shepherds care for the flock, nursing the sick to renewed health; in like manner, Jesus (the Great Physician) cares for our various needs (Matt. 9:10-13). Matthew 9:10-13 (NASB95) 10 Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard this, He said, It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: I desire compassion, and not sacrifice, for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

5 Providing Instruction Seeing the people, Jesus felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things (Mark 6:33-34). Christians should evidence similar commitment (Matt. 9:36-38). Mark 6:33-34 (NASB95) 33 The people saw them going, and many recognized them and ran there together on foot from all the cities, and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. Matthew 9:36-38 (NASB95) 36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Giving His Life Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11, 14-15, 17-18). John 10:11 (NASB95) 11 I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:14-15 (NASB95) 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, 15 even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:17-18 (NASB95) 17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father. He is thus our Protector and our Propitiation (Acts 8:26-35, esp. vs. 32 & 35; cf. Isa. 53). Acts 8:26-35 (NASB95) 26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza. (This is a desert road.) 27 So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go up and join this chariot. 30 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? 31 And he said, Well, how could I, unless someone guides me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He does not open His mouth. 33 In humiliation His judgment was taken away; Who will relate His generation? For His life is removed from the earth. 34

6 The eunuch answered Philip and said, Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. Isaiah 53 (NASB95) 1 Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. 3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed. 6 All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; And as for His generation, who considered That He was cut off out of the land of the living For the transgression of my people, to whom the stroke was due? 9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was there any deceit in His mouth. 10 But the Lord was pleased To crush Him, putting Him to grief; If He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, And the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. 11 As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors. Creating One Flock Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, has but one flock (John 10:16; cf. 17:20-21). John 10:16 (NASB95) 16 I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. John 17:20-21 (NASB95) 20 I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. Denominational division was unknown in the New Testament; instead, believers were united in one body, the church (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:13-18; 4:4-6).

7 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NASB95) 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Ephesians 1:22-23 (NASB95) 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 2:13-18 (NASB95) 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 4:4-6 (NASB95) 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. Equipping the Flock The Great Shepherd equips His flock in every good thing to do His will (Heb. 13:20-21). The Greek word here translated equip means to cause to be in a condition to function well, either by restoring a damaged object to its former serviceable condition (Matt. 4:21; Gal. 6:1), or to put something into proper working order (1 Thess. 3:9-10; 1 Pet. 5:10). Disciples are made complete in Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Cor. 13:11). Hebrews 13:20-21 (NASB95) 20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, 21 *equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Matthew 4:21 (NASB95) 21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, *mending their nets; and He called them. Galatians 6:1 (NASB95) 1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, *restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 (NASB95) 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10 as we

8 night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may *complete what is lacking in your faith? 1 Peter 5:10 (NASB95) 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself *perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NASB95) 10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you *be *made *complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NASB95) 11 Finally, brethren, rejoice, *be *made *complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Leaving an Example As the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls, Jesus left an example of patience and purity. When tested and tried, we should follow in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21-25). 1 Peter 2:21-25 (NASB95) 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. 25 For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. DANGERS FACING THE FLOCK Being Devoured Jesus Himself said, Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. Spiritual perceptiveness is our key defense: You will know them by their fruits (Matt. 7:15-20). Matthew 7:15-20 (NASB95) 15 Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will know them by their fruits. False apostles and deceitful workers held sway at Corinth, subjecting the brethren to abuse, enslavement, and potential destruction. Paul urged the brethren to look behind the illusionary mask and

9 recognize spiritual reality (2 Cor. 11:18-21). Knowledge is key to overcoming error (John 8:31-32). The light of truth dispels darkness (2 Cor. 4:1-6). 2 Corinthians 11:12-21 (NASB95) 12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. 16 Again I say, let no one think me foolish; but if you do, receive me even as foolish, so that I also may boast a little. 17 What I am saying, I am not saying as the Lord would, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. 19 For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. 20 For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, anyone devours you, anyone takes advantage of you, anyone exalts himself, anyone hits you in the face. 21 To my shame I must say that we have been weak by comparison. But in whatever respect anyone else is bold I speak in foolishness I am just as bold myself. John 8:31-32 (NASB95) 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (NASB95) 1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, 2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus sake. 6 For God, who said, Light shall shine out of darkness, is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Commissioning the apostles, Jesus said, Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16-23). Although we possess not the promise of direct divine guidance, as did the inspired apostles, we have something even better: the fully-revealed message of Christ (1 Cor. 13:8-10), the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25), the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Matthew 10:16-23 (NASB95) 16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; 18 and you will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what

10 you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. 20 For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. 21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 22 You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. 23 But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (NASB95) 8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. James 1:25 (NASB95) 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. Jude 3 (NASB95) 3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. Being Scattered When Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was betrayed into the hands of His enemies, the disciples were scattered (Matt , 47, 55-56). This Messianic prophecy, fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ, occurs in the 13 th chapter of Zechariah, which opens with a bold denunciation of false prophets, and closes with a dire description of their effects (Zech. 13:1-9, esp. vs. 7). Matthew 26:30-35 (NASB95) 30 After singing a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered. 32 But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee. 33 But Peter said to Him, Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away. 34 Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times. 35 Peter said to Him, Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You. All the disciples said the same thing too. Matthew 26:47 (NASB95) 47 While He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a large crowd with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests and elders of the people. Matthew 26:55-56 (NASB95) 55 At that time Jesus said to the crowds, Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. 56 But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets. Then all the disciples left Him and fled.

11 Zechariah 13:1-9 (NASB95) 1 In that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for impurity. 2 It will come about in that day, declares the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered; and I will also remove the prophets and the unclean spirit from the land. 3 And if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother who gave birth to him will say to him, You shall not live, for you have spoken falsely in the name of the Lord ; and his father and mother who gave birth to him will pierce him through when he prophesies. 4 Also it will come about in that day that the prophets will each be ashamed of his vision when he prophesies, and they will not put on a hairy robe in order to deceive; 5 but he will say, I am not a prophet; I am a tiller of the ground, for a man sold me as a slave in my youth. 6 And one will say to him, What are these wounds between your arms? Then he will say, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. 7 Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, And against the man, My Associate, Declares the Lord of hosts. Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones. 8 It will come about in all the land, Declares the Lord, That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it. 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, They are My people, And they will say, The Lord is my God. In a variety of ways and for assorted reasons, disciples continue to forsake the Lord. Recognizing the danger of apostasy, let us resolve to remain faithful. Avoiding overconfidence and evidencing integrity, let us exemplify the attitude of David (Psa. 101). Psalm 101:1-5 (NASB95) 1 I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, To You, O Lord, I will sing praises. 2 I will give heed to the blameless way. When will You come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart. 3 I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me. 4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil. 5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure. Foreshadowing a future falling away, Paul spoke of the means by which such danger is confronted: warning brethren of danger, and being constantly nourished on words of faith and sound doctrine (1 Tim. 4:1-11). 1 Timothy 4:1-11 (NASB95) 1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. 6 In pointing out these things to

12 the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 7 But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8 for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10 For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 11 Prescribe and teach these things. DEFENSES PROVIDED TO THE FLOCK Duty of Shepherds Spiritual shepherds are responsible for tending and feeding the flock (John 21:15-17). Simon Peter had a two-fold duty: as an apostle of Jesus Christ, serving the needs of all mankind (2 Pet. 1:1-3), and as an elder of the Lord s church, serving the local congregation of which he was a member (1 Pet. 5:1-4). John 21:15-17 (NASB95) 15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord; You know that I love You. He said to him, Tend My lambs. 16 He said to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? He said to Him, Yes, Lord; You know that I love You. He said to him, Shepherd My sheep. 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of John, do you love Me? Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, Do you love Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You. Jesus said to him, Tend My sheep. 2 Peter 1:1-3 (NASB95) 1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 1 Peter 5:1-4 (NASB95) 1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Elders/overseers/pastors are charged with protecting and defending the flock (Acts 20:25-32; Eph. 4:11-16).

13 Acts 20:25-32 (NASB95) 25 And now, behold, I know that all of you, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, will no longer see my face. 26 Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. Ephesians 4:11-16 (NASB95) 11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. Duty of Sheep The responsibility of sheep is that of hearing and heeding the Shepherd s voice (Psa. 95:6-11, esp. vs. 7). Psalm 95:6-11 (NASB95) 6 Come, let us worship and bow down, Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. 7 For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you would hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah, As in the day of Massah in the wilderness, 9 When your fathers tested Me, They tried Me, though they had seen My work. 10 For forty years I loathed that generation, And said they are a people who err in their heart, And they do not know My ways. 11 Therefore I swore in My anger, Truly they shall not enter into My rest. Christians should remember the message of divine truth communicated by their spiritual leaders, considering their conduct, imitating their faith, and obeying their instructions (Heb. 13:7, 17, 24). Hebrews 13:7 (NASB95) 7 Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

14 Hebrews 13:17 (NASB95) 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:24 (NASB95) 24 Greet all of your leaders and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you. CONCLUSION Describing the perils along the pathway of faith, Paul said, For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered. Yet, his message is one of hope, not hopelessness. Dangers are real, but victory is assured (Rom. 8:35-39, esp. vs. 36). Romans 8:35-39 (NASB95) 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.