Throughout the scriptures, Christ is known by many names and holds many titles. In the tenth chapter of John, Christ calls himself the good shepherd (John 10:14). In Christ’s time shepherd’s were much more than sheep sitters.
A shepherd would spend every minute of every day with his flock. Their responsibilities included defending his sheep. This is explained in verses 11 through 13, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.”
In the role of protector, the true shepherd earns the trust of the flock. So much that not only does the shepherd know the sheep, but the shepherd is known of their sheep as well (John 10:14). The sheep of the flock learn to recognize and respond to the voice of their true shepherd while ignoring others’ calls. This way, the sheep will quickly follow the commands of the true shepherd, while ignoring the calls of thieves.
This relationship becomes increasingly relevant when considering our responsibility as fishers of men. The Lord has stated, “Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out” (Ezek. 34:11). Only the voice of the good shepherd will bring His sheep into the fold. This is another reason that living a truly Christian lifestyle is essential to our success as fishers of men. If we don’t look like Him, if we don’t sound like Him, if we don’t speak like Him, His sheep are going to recognize the differences, and even though what they are saying may be true, the sheep just won’t follow.
Sunday, March 29
Sunday, March 1
John 15:4
The 15th chapter of John contains one of my favorite verses in the entire canon, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me” (verse 4).
In the previous verses, Christ established Himself as the vine, the source of nourishment and nutrients for the branches and fruit. He then continues to define His apostles and each of us as the vines, while defining our greatest objective as the production of good fruit.
I love the symbolism and like to use the relationship of trees, branches and fruit to bring the story to life in my mind. Just as no branch can produce fruit once removed from the trunk, no person is capable of producing good fruits without the Savior. Even the most productive branches, once removed from the trunk, wither and die in their fruitlessness. Likewise, the lowliest of all branches, while still with the trunk, is capable of delicious fruit.
Life then becomes a question of who is closest to the vine instead of who can do the most while away from Him. What then does it take to produce good fruit? It does not depend on the square footage of our home, our position at work or even our IQ; it all depends on our proximity to the vine.
In the verse, Christ invites us to “abide” in Him. Abide means to remain, to continue or to stay. A beautiful invitation, but one I believe is limited by the constraints of the English language. In the Reina Valera (Spanish) translation of the Bible Christ’s invitation is given as a command to “permanacer” in Him.
“Permanecer” is one of two Spanish words that can be translated to “abide.” The other is “quedar.” Although the two mean roughly the same, there is a subtle yet important difference. “Quedar” is used when someone or something remains in a place or state temporarily, as one would “quedar” full or satisfied after a meal. Although there is no current desire for more, it is understood that at some future point, more nourishment will be required.
“Permanecer” is a different form of the word abide. The root of the word stems from the Latin word “proprius,” meaning permanent. If someone or something is to “permanecer” it is to do so forever. There are no breaks and no exceptions; it’s permanent.
That was Christ’s invitation. We must not just abide in the true vine, we must “permanecer” in Him.
In the previous verses, Christ established Himself as the vine, the source of nourishment and nutrients for the branches and fruit. He then continues to define His apostles and each of us as the vines, while defining our greatest objective as the production of good fruit.
I love the symbolism and like to use the relationship of trees, branches and fruit to bring the story to life in my mind. Just as no branch can produce fruit once removed from the trunk, no person is capable of producing good fruits without the Savior. Even the most productive branches, once removed from the trunk, wither and die in their fruitlessness. Likewise, the lowliest of all branches, while still with the trunk, is capable of delicious fruit.
Life then becomes a question of who is closest to the vine instead of who can do the most while away from Him. What then does it take to produce good fruit? It does not depend on the square footage of our home, our position at work or even our IQ; it all depends on our proximity to the vine.
In the verse, Christ invites us to “abide” in Him. Abide means to remain, to continue or to stay. A beautiful invitation, but one I believe is limited by the constraints of the English language. In the Reina Valera (Spanish) translation of the Bible Christ’s invitation is given as a command to “permanacer” in Him.
“Permanecer” is one of two Spanish words that can be translated to “abide.” The other is “quedar.” Although the two mean roughly the same, there is a subtle yet important difference. “Quedar” is used when someone or something remains in a place or state temporarily, as one would “quedar” full or satisfied after a meal. Although there is no current desire for more, it is understood that at some future point, more nourishment will be required.
“Permanecer” is a different form of the word abide. The root of the word stems from the Latin word “proprius,” meaning permanent. If someone or something is to “permanecer” it is to do so forever. There are no breaks and no exceptions; it’s permanent.
That was Christ’s invitation. We must not just abide in the true vine, we must “permanecer” in Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
