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Jesus-The Lord's Prayer
May 16, 2020

Jesus is often compared to a shepherd and His followers as sheep, and this is a comparison that even Jesus used. Jesus gave an example of a shepherd, a door, and robber that took place at the sheep pen. In the story Jesus explained that the shepherd would enter in through the front door and that the robber would enter in some other way, but that the sheep would only follow the voice of the shepherd because they knew the voice of the shepherd; the sheep would not recognize the voice of the robber, because the robber would be a stranger. Jesus explained that he was the shepherd and that others who came before Jesus were thieves and robbers who were ignored by the sheep. By walking through the door the followers of Jesus will have peace in the pasture living an abundant life. As the shepherd, Jesus is committed to the safety and protection of His flock, unlike an employee who might flee in the face of danger. Jesus told everyone listening He would lay down his life for His followers.

John 10:1-18
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The 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 abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 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 take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Soon after this, there came a time when in addition to the twelve disciples, Jesus sent out seventy additional people to preach the Kingdom of God. He told them the harvest would be great and the laborers would be few giving a warning to this group that they would be like sheep walking into a pack of wolves. These people traveled throughout the nearby villages and towns without provision and relied on the hospitality of the local people. When they came back they were excited because they saw how they were able to cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ. They focused so much on this gift that they overlooked the greater gift of salvation, not understanding that their name was written in heaven. Jesus had to explain to them that what these seventy had seen was desired to be seen by kings and prophets.

Luke10:17-24
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Later, Jesus was found by his disciples to be praying and the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Jesus then spoke words which are thought of today as the Lord’s Prayer, using similar words when he previously taught not to use vain repetitions in Matthew chapter six. What is recited often without any consideration is an outline of how to pray to God, and could be its own detailed study. Jesus showed we start a prayer by acknowledging the majesty of God the Father with an eye looking forward to the Kingdom of God. We ask God to give us our needs and to forgive our sins as we forgive people who have wronged us. We ask God to lead us not into temptation and to deliver us from evil.

Luke11:1-4
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Jesus found himself at odds with the religious authorities who could not see themselves as wrong, and He found Himself teaching His followers in a way these religious authorities did not understand, and that in many ways His followers did not yet fully understand. As the protector of his followers, Jesus vowed to lay down his life to protect everyone who calls on His name.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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