3 weeks ago
"Jesus said, ‘I americium nan bully shepherd. A bully shepherd lays down his life for nan sheep'" (John 10:11).
This verse comes from nan Gospel of John, 1 of nan 4 gospel narratives successful nan New Testament. While nan nonstop authorship of this gospel is unknown, it is astir commonly attributed to nan Apostle John, says nan website Catholic Answers.
In immoderate Christian denominations, this Sunday is regarded arsenic "Good Shepherd Sunday."
The connection that Jesus is nan "good shepherd" is little applicable now than it would beryllium astatine nan clip it was spoken, evangelical leader Rev. Johnnie Moore of Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital — but it is still a powerful analogy.
PEACE OF JESUS CHRIST 'WILL DRIVE ALL ANXIETY, EVERY FEAR, FROM OUR HEARTS,' SAYS DC-BASED FRIAR
"Back then, sheep and shepherds were everywhere," he said.
Moore is president of nan Congress of Christian Leaders. Twice appointed to nan U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom, he is besides nan writer of "The Next Jihad" and "The New Book of Christian Martyrs."
Sunday, April 21, is regarded arsenic "Good Shepherd Sunday." As a shepherd, "God doesn’t committedness america life will beryllium easy, but He does committedness america he’ll ne'er time off us," said Rev. Johnnie Moore, shown supra successful inset. (iStock/Vitaly Manzuk)
In biblical times, arsenic good arsenic today, "Calling personification a sheep wasn’t precisely a compliment," said Moore.
"Sheep are impulsive," he said. "They’re not that smart. They’re rebellious often, and erstwhile they’re not being rebellious, they’re conscionable pursuing nan crowd. Without a shepherd, they’re hopeless."
EASTER CONTINUES TO BRING GIFTS OF THE RESURRECTED JESUS, SAYS WASHINGTON, D.C., NUN
On Good Shepherd Sunday, "we retrieve that nevertheless modern, affluent, powerful aliases unafraid we whitethorn become, we still request God," he said.
In God, "we find a shepherd who will attraction for america arsenic we travel done life’s ups and downs."
In John 10:11, Jesus says, "I americium nan bully shepherd." (iStock)
In biblical times, a personification would occasionally spot a sheep "slung astir nan cervix of nan shepherd" retired successful nan field, said Moore.
This meant either nan sheep had been accidentally injured, aliases that nan shepherd himself had surgery nan limb of a rebellious sheep to forestall it from moving away.
"Whether it was life’s misfortune aliases nan sheep’s mistake, nan shepherd kept nan sheep adjacent until it healed entirely," he said.
EASTER BUNNY TEACHES KIDS ‘TRUE MEANING’ OF EASTER IN NEW BOOK WITH FAITH FOCUS
After nan sheep was healed, they "stuck closest to nan shepherd moreover erstwhile they could tally again."
During life, "there are often much bad days than bully days," said Moore.
And while skeptics mightiness return nan beingness of bad days to effort to test nan religion of Christians, this is nan incorrect approach.
Sheep, said 1 religion leader, are impulsive and not very intelligent. In God, he said, "we find a shepherd who will attraction for america arsenic we travel done life’s ups and downs." (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)
"Those who’ve gone done life’s ringer understand that nan astir important mobility to inquire during life’s challenging days isn’t, ‘Why?’ but ‘Who?’" said Moore.
He continued, "'Who' is this God whom billions of group complete hundreds of hundreds of years person put their dream in?"
"God doesn’t committedness america life will beryllium easy."
"See, if God was trustworthy then, God is trustworthy now," he said.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
God, said Moore, "is ne'er person to you than erstwhile skeptics deliberation He's furthest away."
He added, "God doesn’t committedness america life will beryllium easy, but He does committedness america he’ll ne'er time off us," he said — conscionable arsenic nan shepherd does not time off his flock.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"We can’t ever understand God (if we could, he would not beryllium God) — but He understands us," said Moore.
For much Lifestyle articles, sojourn www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
Christine Rousselle is simply a manner newsman pinch Fox News Digital.
