This description of Christ is of great importance.
II. The benefit of receiving him under that cha- racter—
There is no benefit which can accrue to a well- attended flock, which does not arise to those who believe in Christ —
1. Security; " He shall be saved" —
[Protection is of unspeakable benefit to a defenceless sheep : but who can estimate the value of salvation to an immortal soul ? Yet, such is the portion of those who enter into the fold aright : they shall be rescued out of the jaws of the devouring lion ° : they shall be freed from the curse and condemnation of the law p : death itself, disarmed of its sting, shall have no power to hurt themq: every kind and degree of penal evil shall be averted from them. He that is em- powered, is also engaged, to " save them to the uttermost :" and this benefit he bestows, because they " come unto God by him1."]
2. Liberty; " He shall go in and out" —
[A sheep left to wander on the mountains infested with wolves, might boast of its freedom from restraint ; but it would soon find what little reason there was to glory in such a pri- vilege : its truest liberty is to submit itself to the direction of the shepherd. Thus they, who live without God in the world, may boast of their liberty ; but their very freedom is, in fact, the sorest bondage :s and every moment they are in danger of everlasting destruction*. It is far otherwise with those who have entered into the fold by Christ. Whether at large by day, or enclosed by night, they feel no restraint. Through Christ they have all the liberty which their souls can desire". Secure of God's favour, " they go in and out" before him in perfect peace x.]
3. Provision; " He shall find pasture" —
[Good pasture comprises all the wants of a highly favoured flock : and how rich, how abundant is that, which the sheep of Christ partake of! There are " exceeding great and precious promises," on which they feed. It is utterly their own fault if ever they experience a dearth y. David from his personal knowledge attests this truth2; and God confirms it
0 2 Tim. ii. 26. 1 Pet. v. 8. p Rom. viii. 1.
9 1 Cor. xv. 55—57. r Heb. vii. 25. s 2 Pet. ii. 19.
* Ps. vii. 12, 13. Deut. xxxii. 35. u John viii. 36.
x Ps. xxv. 13. y Ps xxiii. 2. z Ps. xxii. 26.