May 18

The Shepherd, The Watchman, The Sheep
John 10

Christ, the "good shepherd," is one of the enduring metaphors of the New Testament.  In this passage he tells us what this really means - and in the process shows us how to detect religious fraud.
The Shepherd
The shepherd represents Christ, the legitimate authority over the sheep.  We know this authority by the way it approaches us.  Christ does not come to us in secret, by night, announcing that we are victims of a conspiracy.  The word is preached openly - even in times of persecution.  Christ is "up front" with us.
The "thief by night" - who represents those who practice fraud in the name of God - shows himself in two ways.  First, his appointment is his own;  he is his own authority.  Next, he "comes by night" - with tales of how some secret conspiracy has corrupted what the church teaches.  The Bible is an open book;  no wonder it must be attacked by "secret conspiracy" theories.
The Watchman
The watchman represents the faithful minister (or teacher, or elder, or deacon, or other leader) in the church.  Note two things:

• The watchman listens to Christ.  He himself is repentant at Christ's command;  he is open to the truth even if it means changing his preconceived ideas.
  
• The watchman understands his task is not to be the shepherd but open the door to the shepherd.  All he does is so that the sheep will hear Christ.  His blessing comes not from how great people think he is but how much he blesses Christ.
  

• The sheep are to listen.  Their ears are open, waiting to hear the word of the Lord.
  
• The sheep are to listen to Christ.  The skill of the orator is not important;  the message from Christ is.
  
• The sheep are to listen only to Christ.  No matter what new theory comes along, they are to hear only their master's voice, and reject all others.