The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 59

Ver. 14.-Mut-ual knowledge. If the Lord Jesus came to earth to seek and to save the lost sheep of the flock, it is not wonderful that he should know those in whom he has displayed an interest so compassionate and deep. If the members of the flock owe to the great and good Shepherd their safety, their pastnre, their all, it is not wonderful that they should l"now him to whom they are so immeasurably indebted. Hence the natural simplicity of the language in which Christ says, ''. I know mine own, and mino own k1,ow me." I. CHB.IST, THE GOOD SHEPHERD, XN0WS ms SHEEP. 1. This fact is an incidental proof of our Lord's Deity. Not only did Jesus know every one of his disciples during his earthly ministry; his knowledge extends to all who are hie. No one of them is lost and overlooked in the crowd; each one is individually known aud named. Through- out the long generations of human history, in all the lands where the Christian faith has been planted, the omniscient Shepherd and Bishop of souls has recognized and cared for every sheep of the flock. 2. This fact is a proof of our Lord's special and affectionate interest in the several members of his Church. To know, in this as in many other passages, means to regard with favour and attachment. The Saviour's knowledge of his people is something more and better than mere recognition; it is the knowledge of friend.ship and affection. His capacious heart has a place for every one whom he has purchased with his blood, whom he has sealed with his Spirit. 3. This fact is a proof that there is a special character in the sheep of Christ's flock which the Shepherd recognizes with pleasure. " The Lord knoweth them that are his ; " for they possess certain spiritual marks which indicate his property in them. II. THE SHEEP OF CmusT's FLOCK KNOW THE GOOD SHEPHERD, WHO OWNS AND CARES FOB THEM. 1. Their knowledge of their Saviour is based upon his knowledge of them. 2. It is a knowledge which is associated with gratitude and affection. 3. It is a know- ledge which leads to cheerful obedience. The sheep who know the form and the voice of the Shepherd follow him whithersoever he goeth ; and the law of the Christian's life is obediet,ce to the Ma.ster. 4. It is a knowledge which prompts to witness. Those who know the qualities of the Shepherd, his power to save and bless, will not fail to make him known to those who need his love and care.-T. Ver. 15.-.71,e great offering. Our Lord Jesus is the chief Shepherd, under whom all other spiritual pastors are called to labour for the welfare of the flock, to whom they owe their authority, and by whose example they are bidden to be guided. He is the great Shepherd, who has proved his power to deliver and to save. And he is the good Shepherd, who shrinks from no effort and from no self-denial, in order to secure the welfare of his own. What more could he do than he did, when he laid down his life for the sheep? I. THIS OFFEBING WAS DELIBERATELY YCJBPOSED. Nothing can be more absurd than the notion of some modem critics, who contend that the Lord Jesus never contemplated ■uch a close to his ministry until within a short period of his betrayal, and that ho accepted the martyrdom as inevitable, and in onler to save his credit with his followers, OH, X, 1-42.] THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. ,JOHN, 61