A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 15 – Subpart 16
Christ a Shepherd.
John 10.11.
I am the good Shepherd, &c. foreign.
Metaphor.
I. A Shepherd is chosen and appointed to take care of the Sheep, being a Man skilful in doing that Work and Business.
II. A Shepherd knows his Sheep, he knows their Number, and knows them particularly from Sheep that are none of his, and one from another.
III. A Shepherd marks his Sheep, whereby they are distinguished from others.
IV. A Shepherd feeds his Sheep, he leads them to green Pastures, and Springs of Water: Should not the Shepherd feed the Flock?Ezek. 34.2
V. A Shepherd preserves his Flock, he takes care they do not feed in unwholsom Pastures, and defends them from Enemies.
VI. A Shepherd hath a Fold for his Sheep, whither he brings them for their better Security, and his own Profit.
VII. A Shepherd keeps his Sheep together, suffers them not to stray and straggle abroad, lest they should be lost.
VIII. A Shepherd, if any of his Sheep be set upon by Dogs or Wolves, will venture his Life for them, to defend and rescue them from those Beasts of Prey; as David for a Lamb,1 Sam 17.36, 37. fought with a Lion and a Bear.
IX. A Shepherd is very tender of his Flock,Gen. 33.13 will not over-drive them, takes special care of the Lambs, and those that are weak and feeble.
X. If a Shepherd has lost one Sheep, if one Sheep or Lamb be gone astray, he will seek it, and when he hath found it, he brings it home with abundance of Joy, saying to his Neighbours,Luk. 15.5, 6. Rejoyce with me, for I have found my lost Sheep.
XI. A Shepherd heals the Diseases of the Sheep. The diseased (saith God to the Shepherds of Israel) have ye not strengthned, Ezek. 34.4.neither have ye healed that which was sick.
XII. A Shepherd judges between Sheep and Sheep, between fat and lean Ones; and if any push the weak, and hurt or wrong his Fellow, or would thrust and shoulder him out of the Fold, the Shepherd takes notice of it, and accordingly orders such who do the wrong.
XIII. The Shepherd watches over his Sheep, because of the Dangers that might otherwise befall them in the Night: And there were in the same Country Shepherds, abiding in the Field, Luk. 2.8.keeping watch over their Flock by night, &c.
XIV. Shepherds are to give an account of their Sheep, to see that none are lacking.
XV. A Shepherd washes his Sheep (in convenient places) from all Filth and Soil, which they are subject to contract to themselves.
XVI. A Shepherd delights much to see his Sheep and Lambs thrive.
XVII. A Shepherd, if he sees one or more of his Sheep are infected with any Distemper, so that they may endanger the rest, he separates such from the Flock.
XVIII. A Shepherd separates the Sheep from the Goats.
XIX. A Shepherd leads his Flock to some sweet shady Place, where he makes them rest at Noon, when the Sun shines hot.
Parallel.
I. JEsus Christ is chosen of God, and appointed to take the Care and Charge of the Church, and very capable to undertake that blessed Work.
II. I know my Sheep, saith Christ, and am known of mine. He takes special notice of every particular Saint, he knew Moses by name. He knows their Wants, their Sufferings, their Weaknesses, their Sicknesses, and whatever Service they do for his holy Name-sake.
III. The Lord Jesus hath set his own Image upon his People. The Mark which they always bear upon them, is, Holiness, Meekness, Obedience, Rev. 7.3, 4by which they are distinguished from the World. Set a Mark upon the Men that mourn. Ezek. 9.4.Christ's Sheep are sealed in their Foreheads and Hands. 1. For Distinction. 2. Secrecy. 3. Security.
IV. Christ feeds his Flock like a Shepherd, Isa. 40.11. Psal. 23.1, 2. Joh. 10.3. Isa. 49.10. Prov. 8.6. Prov. 4.2. Jer. 3.15.his great care is to put them into good and fat Pastures, and leads them by the still Waters. He gives them good Doctrine, feeding them with Knowledg and Ʋnderstanding.
V. The Lord Jesus, to preserve his Church, doth often charge and caution them to beware of, and avoid all pernicious and evil Doctrine, false Teachers, &c. And he continually defends them from Sin, Satan, and all other Enemies.
VI. The Lord Jesus hath his Church for his Fold, whither he brings his Elect for their better Security, and his own Glory. The Lord added unto the Church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2.47.Glory to God in the Church, throughout all Ages.Eph. 3.21.
VII. The Lord Jesus frequently assembles his People together, and will not allow any to straggle abroad, or be like Lambs in large Places: Exhort one another daily, &c.Heb. 10.25
VII. Christ laid down his Life for his Sheep, exposed himself to great Sorrows and Miseries for their sakes, and engaged with the cruellest of Enemies, who sought to make a Prey of, and devour his Flock, which all the Malice of wicked Men, who lay Snares to entrap them, cannot accomplish.Jer. 5.26.
IX. Christ is exceeding tender of weak and feeble Christians. He shall gather the Lambs with his Arm, Isa. 40 11.and carry them in his Bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. Strengthen ye the weak Hands, Isa. 3….3.and confirm the feeble Knees.
X. Christ, the good Shepherd, came to seek and save that which was lost; his great Design is to bring home Sinners, and such as have gone astray, as David, Peter, and other Saints have done.Luke 15.1, 2, 3, &c. When he finds them broken for their Sins, how is he pleased! He takes up the lost Sheep upon his Shoulder, as it were, carries it upon the Power of his Grace and Love into the Sheep-fold with Joy.
XI. Christ binds up the broken-hearted, restores Sight to the Blind, and sets at liberty them that are bruised; he pours in Oil and Wine into the Sinners Wounds. I will bind up that which was broken, Ezek. 34.18.and will strengthen that which was sick, &c.
XII. Christ judges between Member and Member, between one Saint and another. And if any oppress and injure his Fellow-Christian, or if the Rich wrong the Poor, or the Strong the Weak, and retain their Right, or would justle them out of the Church, Christ takes special notice of it, and will reward them accordingly: I will destroy the Fat and the Strong, if they repent not. Mark 10.42. Joh. 3.9, 10. Col. 3.25.The Gentiles exercise Lordship, and their great Ones usurp Authority; but it shall not be so among you. — Diotrephes, who loveth to have the Preheminence among them, receiveth us not. — I will remember his Deeds. He that doth Wrong, shall receive for the Wrong.
XIII. Christ continually keeps a strict watch over his People, his Eye is never off them: I will keep it night and day. Isa. 2….3.In this Night of Darkness, how happy are we, that the good Shepherd hath his Eye upon, and watcheth his threatned Flock, since so many Roman Wolves are abroad.
XIV. Christ gives the Father an account of all his Sheep:Jo…. 17. Of all those that thou hast given me, I have lost none, but the Son of Perdition.
XV. Christ hath loved us, and washed us from our Sins in his own Blood. 'Tis his Blood that cleanses us (through Faith) from all Sin.Re…. 15. 1 J…h. 1.9.
XVI. Christ is wonderfully pleased to see his People grow in Grace, and in the Fruits of the Spirit:Joh. 15.8▪ Hereby is my Father glorified, that you bring forth much Fruit.
XVII. Christ, if he sees any evil, infected, and corrupted Members in the Church, that may endanger the rest, he he gives command to purge them out,1 Cor. 5.1, 2, 3. Tit. 3.10. or separate them from the Church, by the righteous Censure thereof.
XVIII. Christ will make a plain Decision at the last Day. He will separate the Godly from the Wicked,Mat. 25. as a Shepherd separates the Sheep from the Goats.
XIX. Christ hath the like care of his Flock; He is as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land, by his gracious Promises, and Protection in the Day of Persecution.
Metaphor.
I. OTher Shepherds are generally Hirelings; they keep other Mens Sheep, and not their own.
II. All other Shepherds are no more than Men, and generally poor, and of a mean Race or Descent.
III. Other Shepherds may fail in Skill or Care, or may want Power to help and save their Sheep from Danger, when the Lion or Wolf cometh.
IV. Others are Shepherds of a few Sheep, of a few particular Flocks.
V. Other Shepherds are but Sheep themselves; nay, and if his, they can't have greater Dignity, conferred upon them.
VI. Other Shepherds may lose their Sheep; they may be diseased, rot, and perish, and they cannot help them.
Disparity.
I. CHrist's Sheep are all his own by Creation; his by free Donation of the Father; his by Election: You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. Joh. 15.16They are his by Purchase or Redemption; he bought them with the Price of his own Blood.
II. This Shepherd is the Son of God; never was there such a Shepherd in the Church before,Rom. 1.4. nor ever shall arise after him: He thought it no Robbery to be equal with God.Phil. 2.6.
III. Christ is called the Wisdom of God, and the Power of God.1 Cor. 1.24. His Bowels, Covenant, and Faithfulness, will not suffer him to forget or neglect his Flock. He is able to drive away all the Beasts of Prey, with his Voice can make the fiercest Lion tremble; He can make the Devils flie, and restrain the Wrath of Man, and Powers of Darkness, at his pleasure.
IV. Christ is the great Shepherd of the Sheep. He is called Great, Heb. 13.20 2 Pet. 5.4.1. In respect of his Person: 2. In respect of his Power. 3. Great, in respect of the Flocks he hath the charge and care of. He is the Universal Shepherd; 'tis false of the Pope, but true of Christ. All the Sheep or Flocks that live, or ever lived, were and are his. 4. Great, in respect of the Pastures he hath to accommodate his Sheep. The World is his, and the Fulness thereof. 5. Great, in respect of the many inferior Shepherds that are under him, that must be accountable to him.
V. Christ is the Shepherd of Shepherds. The Patriarchs, Prophets, and Apostles themselves, and all Ministers of the Gospel, are Christ's Sheep, and under his charge and keeping.
VI. Christ will lose none of his Sheep, He is able to cure all their Diseases,Psal. 103.3 and to keep them from perishing: My Sheep hear my Voice, and they follow me, and they shall never perish, Joh. 10.28.neither can any Man pluck them out of my hand.
Inferences.
1. IF Christ be the Shepherd of his Sheep, if he hath the Care and Charge of all the faithful People of God; this informs us, that they shall not, cannot be at any time without a Shepherd: for Christ is not short-liv'd, or suject to Death, as other Shepherds are: He ever lives, &c.Heb. 7.25.
2. Believers may say with David, If Christ be their Shepherd, Psal. 23 1.they shall not lack.
3. Let other Shepherds remember they are but Christ's Servants, Christ's Deputies, and must be accountable to Him, the chief Shepherd, when he appeareth.
4. We may infer from hence, That the State and Condition of such Men is sad, that worry, and make a Spoil of the Righteous; they are Christ's Lambs they thus grievously abuse, and make Slaughter of.
5. Follow this Shepherd in his Doctrine, in his Example.
6. Examine your selves, whether you be his Sheep, or no: His Sheep know his Voice from the Voice of Strangers. See more under the Metaphor of Sheep.
7. Take heed you do not straggle from the Fold, and refuse the Guidance and Conduct of this Shepherd.
8. Enquire where this Shepherd feeds his Flock,Cant. 1.7. and where he makes them rest at Noon.
Christ the Branch.
Zech. 3.8.
I will bring forth my Servant, the Branch.
Zech. 6.12.
Behold the Man whose Name is the Branch.
THe Hebrew word foreign, and the Latin word, Germen, Leigh Crit. Sacr. p. 435.do metaphorically signify Christ. The Greek Interpreters translated it, foreign, and the Vulgar Latin, Orientem; for they judged, that Christ might be so called from that Glory and Brightness, by which he chased away the Darkness that overspread the World; but the Word will not bear that Sence, as the Root foreign sheweth.
In these places of Scripture, where Christ is called a Branch, we are to understand his human Nature is intended; and this according to the Judgment of divers Expositors.Jer. 33.15. I will cause the Branch of Righteousness to grow up unto David:Isa. 11.1. Hence he is said to be a Branch out of the Stem of Jesse. And this is according to the Apostle, where he minds, that God sware unto David,Acts 2.30. that of the Fruit of his Loins according to the Flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit upon his Throne. And upon this account Christ is called the Son of David, Rev. 22.16and the Off-spring of David.
How fitly Christ may be compared to a Branch, we shall note under three or four Particulars.
Metaphor.
I. A Branch hath a Root or Stock from whence it proceeds.
II. A Branch is of the same Nature with the Stock or Root from whence it naturally proceeds.
III. A Branch partakes of Sap and Nourishment from the Root.
IV. A Branch, or the Branches of a Tree, are the Glory of a Tree.
Parallel.
I. CHrist, as concerning the Flesh,Rom. 1.3. Mark 6.3. proceeded from Abraham, Jesse, David, Mary, &c.
II. Christ is really and truly Man, and hence he is called the Seed of the Woman, Gen. 3.15. Gen. 22.18.and the Seed of Abraham, &c. and, Made of a Woman, made like unto us in all things, Sin only excepted. Heb. 2.14.Forasmuch as Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same.
III. Christ partook of Nourishment from the Virgin, not only in the Womb, but afterwards:Luk. 11.27 & 23.29. Blessed are the Paps that thou hast sucked.
IV. Christ, the Son of Man, being the real Off-spring and Son of David according to the Flesh,Mat. 22.45 Rev. 22.16 is the Glory of all David's Race, and of the whole Church of God in general.
Inferences.
1. THis may serve to reprehend those that say, The Matter of Christ's human Nature was from Heaven; and that he passed through the Womb of the Virgin, as Water through a Conduit-Pipe; and is called the Seed of the Woman, Gal. 4.4.and made of a Woman, upon no other account than his being born of a Woman. — From hence,
2. We may admire the Goodness and rich Grace of God, and his distinguishing Love to Mankind, in that the Lord Jesus took not hold of the Nature of Angels, but of the Seed of Abraham, that there should be a Saviour for fallen Man,Heb. 2.16. and none for fallen Angels.
3. This shews how Man is magnified and exalted by the Almighty. What greater Dignity can God confer upon us, than that our Nature should be united to, and made one with the Deity? This is the Rise and Ground of all our Hope and Consolation.