A Brighter Day Begins with His Word.

Ryle, J. C. (John Charles), 1816–1900 • SECTION 161

JOHN X. 10—18.

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10 Tho thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundant- ly-

11 I am tho good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the

12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth tho sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

14 I am the good shepherd, and

know my sheep, and am known of mine,

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I tho Father: and I lay down my life for tho sheep.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: thorn also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and ono shepherd.

17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to tako it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

These verses show us, for one thing, the great object for tvhicJi Christ came into the world. He says, I am come that men " might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

The truth contained in these words is of vast importance. They supply an antidote to many crude and unsound no- tions which are abroad in the world. Christ did not come to be only a teacher of new morality, or an example of holiness and self-denial, or a founder of new ceremonies, as some have vainly asserted. He left heaven, and dwelt

Public-domain historical edition (1857). Text from OCR of an original Internet Archive scan; OCR may contain recognition errors.

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