The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 23 April 2023 – The Claims Of Jesus
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TOPIC: The Claims Of Jesus
READ: John 10:7-16 (NKJV)
- Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.
- “All who [ever] came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.
- “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
- “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have [it] more abundantly.
- “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
- “But a hireling, [he who is] not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
- “The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.
- “I am the good shepherd; and I know My [sheep,] and am known by My own.
- “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.
- “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.
THE MESSAGE:
Jesus made some spectacular claims in today’s passage. He claimed to be the door of the sheep, of salvation and of spiritual security. He also claimed that He came to give men abundant life. He claimed to be the good shepherd who sacrifices His life for His sheep, knows His sheep and they know Him. He even claims to have other sheep, which He intends to bring in. He says that the other sheep will hear His voice and follow Him so that there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Are these claims of Jesus true? A door grants access. Jesus gives access to the Father as no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14: 6). Jesus gives salvation to those who receive Him (John 1: 12) and these ones have everlasting life (John 3: 16; Ephesians 2: 18). Jesus gives life (John 11: 25) even abundant life (Acts 10: 38). He sacrificed His life for His sheep (Romans 5). The other sheep of Jesus were the Gentiles whom He sought after (Acts 9: 15; 22: 21; Romans 9: 23-24). Be determined to believe Jesus, receive the salvation and eternal life He gives so that you will have a good relationship with Him; and serve Him all the days of your life.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to always believe and obey whatever Jesus says. Amen.
