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The Shepherd and the Flock By J. N. Loughborough
T
he Lord, in His Word, has beautifully compared His people to sheep, needing and receiving the tender care of Christ, the great Shepherd. Of this we read… “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arms, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Isa. 40:11. “He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and they follow Him; for they know His voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from Him; for they know not the voice of strangers.” John 10:3-5. “Find the erring, discouraged ones by careful, diligent search, and bring them back to the fold. Christ has said, “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ Strive to have a real connection with Christ, and become laborers together with God. ‘Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.’ Work with self hidden in Jesus, and the Lord will add to the church such as shall be saved. The great Master Shepherd will give wisdom to the under shepherds, that they may become living, working agents for His use."—Mrs. E. G. White, in Review and Herald, Oct. 24, 1893. The tender care of the great Shepherd for His flock is expressed in these words: “Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He cares for His sickly, wandering sheep. He knows them all by name. The distress of every sheep and every lamb of His flock touches His heart of sympathizing love, and the cry for aid reaches His ear.… Jesus cares for each one as though there were not another individual on the face of the earth. As Deity, He exerts His mighty power in our behalf, while as our elder Brother He feels for all our woes.”—Testimony for the Church, No. 32, page 102.
20 Pacific Union Recorder
