The Parable of the Good Shepherd

Sermons by Edna Lister

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. – John 10:1-18.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd

This Edna Lister sermon outline is dated February 23, 1947. Scripture: John 10:1-18.

A man who owns something enters by the door. The sheep know the shepherd, their owner, who has the key to the sheepfold. They also know that the thieves climb over the fence. The fence around a sheep pen can be eight feet high, and open at the top. Often a boy sleeps inside with the sheep, and opens the door at the sound of his master's voice. The sheep know that voice also and will cry out if they are hungry.

The shepherd leads his own sheep, and the sheep follow him. They will not follow a stranger, but must be driven, since they do not know the strange voice. Jesus taught this parable to caution the people against false prophets and soothsayers who were fooling the people. Doubtless, his disciples had asked the significance of this parable.

Jesus mentioned many doors, and said, "I am the door of the sheep." – John 10:7.

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." – John 10:9.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. – Revelation 3:20.

You cannot see any of the doors these verses mention from the physical point of view. So they must refer to a mystical door, one that takes you directly to the high place in consciousness. Daniel, for example, opened three mystical windows – wisdom, love and selflessness – toward Jerusalem when he prayed.

What is a good shepherd and how does he act? The good shepherd uses the door and cares for his flock personally. He gives his life to save his sheep if necessary. He treats them with love, tenderness and compassion.

What has this to do with you, now? Sheep represent your thoughts, metaphysically. The subconscious mind, your hireling, often drags your thoughts down to the world, stealing your time, energy and faith, until you have nothing left.

When self holds sway, the thieves and robbers, the emotional desires of the self, climb in and steal the sheep. Self does not care what happens after you indulge it. Self betrays the body and leaves soul to pay the debt. As a willing partner in sin, self always gets you into trouble and never pays its way.

"I am the door" measures the shepherd's stature. Life is composed of so many small elements, none of which seems very important at the time. Think of every thread that goes into weaving, both warp and weft, yet you have all the materials you need to weave a perfect cloth.

Consider, how many bricks does it take to build a sheep pen? Every brick must be set by hand, perfectly. You must keep the sheep warm, fed, protected and sheltered. Can a lukewarm, indifferent shepherd do this?

What is your temperature now, in this moment? What is your stature? Whose stature are you using as a living ensample of how to shepherd the sheep of your Father's flock?

The Good Shepherd 1

This Edna Lister sermon outline is dated November 1, 1964. Scriptures: John 10:1-20, Revelation 3:20.

Jesus had traveled over the then-known world before he began his official ministry. He was thirty-one years old when John baptized him in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, 29 A.D.

Caesar Augustus had died in 14 A.D. Tiberius had become co-emperor with Augustus two years before Augustus' death, and had coins struck in his honor as emperor in October 11 A.D. The fifteenth year of Tiberius' rule was the same year John baptized Jesus, and the year Pontius Pilate became governor of Judea.

Jesus walked with God. He knew well that the Power flowing through him must always be used for others, never for himself. Whenever he spent time apart from his disciples, he went before high councils on the inner, maintaining his God-consciousness.

When Jesus departed for the wilderness after John baptized him, James and John searched for him the entire forty days. Yet Jesus remained in retirement until Herod betrayed and killed his cousin, John the Baptist.

His time in the wilderness was a period of great decisions. He began choosing his disciples. He chose between the way of being announced as the Messiah the Jews awaited or to remain unknown and be despised.

He chose the latter course, to train his twelve disciples to carry on his work of founding the New Jerusalem. If he had not chosen the Via Christi, the Way of Christ, we could not conquer the remainder of evil now.

Jesus decided that he would prove that anyone, who surrendered to be the servant of all Power, could live alone, not calling on the Father's legions but bearing full responsibility to live as the Son of man, without favors. He faced such great temptations.

He could have worked spectacular public miracles that would have caused men to be in fear and awe of him and the Father. That would have attracted more people to follow him. Instead, he chose the way of sacrifice and small miracles. This was enough to cause his enemies to crucify him.

God, whom he portrayed as the Father, always excited him. He portrayed himself as the Good Shepherd, and training his disciples remained the most important thing to him.

Three Christed teachings stand out as important to us today: First, "I am the door of the sheep." Second, "My sheep know my voice." Third, "I lay down my life for the sheep." A good shepherd provides his flock with protection, shelter and food. He could not outright tell them who he was because of his choices, decisions and vows. Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. – John 10:24. They themselves had to choose once and stand on that choice.

"I am the door of the sheep." The door is the only legal way of entry. The porter opens the door to the shepherd, who says, "I stand at the door and knock."

To steal into the sheepfold is the use of force. You must earn the right to enter. The door is closed for protection and opened for freedom. The sheep hear the shepherd's voice and know him.

Your sheep include your thoughts first, all your creations and everything you touch with desire or covet. This is why you must name your creation "good." Today's naming calls yesterday's sheep home.

Do you recognize your own sheep, or do you repudiate them as little black crows when they return to you? They are yours whether you claim or disown them, saying, "This is now mine. I do not deserve this."

Everything I name as mine, and I must recall and lift into Light. You cannot bury your sheep and be a good shepherd.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. – John 10:11. I lay down my life for the sheep. – John 10:15. To lay down your life for the sheep is to assume total responsibility. You must spend time in the fold, which is a gestating period of growth in which you "wait upon the Lord" in the high place of consciousness.

Finally, the time comes to lead the sheep out. The sheep include your ideas, which you voice as the spoken Word. Hold the sheep in your arms of love and compassion. Broadcast love and expansion. Fill the apparently vacant space with the love-substance to bring your sheep into physical being.

To lay down your life for the sheep means you cast aside and place on an altar your opinions about, prejudice against and blame for people, ideas and situations. Lay down your old life for the new, and open the door to Christ.

The Good Shepherd 2

Edna Lister created this sermon outline for February 14, 1965. Scripture: John 10:1-20.

As a young man, Jesus had traveled all over the world before he returned to Judea to take over his cousin John the Baptist's ministry of preaching the advent of the kingdom of heaven. Jesus was about thirty-one years old when John baptized him, at the beginning of Pontius Pilate's governorship of Judea.

After the baptism, Jesus retired from public activity and remained secluded until the Baptist was betrayed into Herod's hands and beheaded. His other cousins, James and John, were searching for him. When he returned to Capernaum, he chose his disciples, and immediately began training them to carry on his work.

Often, when a Gospel states that Jesus "left" his disciples, he went to the inner realms. He could ascend his body with his consciousness even then, and seemingly disappeared. He did this when he entered the wilderness alone after John baptized him.

During the forty days and three temptations in the wilderness, Jesus had chosen between acknowledging himself as the messiah for whom the Jews were waiting, or to walk as a son of man, alone, knowing where he had to go and what he had to suffer. His sacrifice was to follow the Via Christa, the Way of Christ, to establish the New Jerusalem.

For this reason, we know that God cannot fail or allow evil to win. Although you cannot see the way ahead, you know what the end shall be. By this soul knowing, your confidence in God is supreme.

The Parable of the Good Shepherd presents three salient facts about spiritual responsibility: I am the door of the sheep. My sheep know my voice. I lay down my life for my sheep.

"I am the door of the sheep." Jesus explained the parable, but the disciples were still foggy about its meaning. Some people said, "If you are the messiah, tell us plainly." Yet his vows did not allow it. They had to learn to recognize his voice and follow of their own volition. Even God cannot force anyone to follow Him as His Begotten Son. You must hear His voice, and accept the "one door" to His fold.

"My sheep know my voice." Everyone has sheep. Your sheep are your creations of imagination, thinking and desires, your creative tools. Every time you call the name of a sheep today, you call to every sheep of similar degree and kind out there. Yesterday's sheep also come running to you. Some are black-faced, but do you repudiate them? Yes, if you say, "This is not mine. I didn't create it. I do not deserve this."

Your creations are always with you because they carry your unique number and name. Repudiating them does no good. You may forget your sheep, but they follow you when you open the door. Thus, you must acknowledge the law, "Only my own can come to me."

To say, "I lay down my life for my sheep," is to surrender to be the servant of all Power. You surrender opinions about, prejudice against and blame for, and "I will. I won't. I cannot." All these are black-face sheep. You must call them back to melt, dissolve, and absorb them into Light.

Jesus was always able to portray God as exciting, to make the kingdom of heaven thrilling. It is wonderful, filled with limitless glory and beauty. You can "take up your cross" and really follow.

Life is your cross of ascension. "My yoke is easy" because Love cushions you when you love with the love of God without self. "My burden is light" because it is a joy to serve, to watch for the relief and release.

Who is the agent of Power? From what Source above, with no barriers? As Isaiah said, "Here I am Lord. Send me."

In this principle, you may have confidence: Your every decree shall come to you. Call your sheep. Send forth good words. Broadcast and fill your world with white sheep. Remember to call your black sheep "good." When you wave your wand of love, lo, all false sheep fade into Light. Top ↑

The Good Shepherd 3

This Edna Lister sermon transcript is dated November 1, 1964. Scribes: Elizabeth Barnes, Ruth Johnson, Irene White and Virginia Whitehead. Scriptures: John 10:1-20 and Revelation 3:20.

The tenth chapter of John contains three distinctly separate uses of the terms, "sheep, sheepfold" and "flock." To understand this, we must examine Jesus' background historically.

Augustus Tiberias Claudius Nero Caesar (Roman emperor, A.D. 14 to A.D. 37) succeeded Octavian (Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus), the first Roman emperor, 27 B.C. to A.D. 14, and the grandnephew of Julius Caesar. According to some sources, John the Baptist baptized Jesus in the fourteenth year of Augustus' reign, although others suggest that the baptism took place in the fifteenth year, or 29 A.D., the same year that Pontius Pilate became governor in Judea.

After John baptized him publicly, the Holy Spirit descended, but Jesus remained in retirement until John had finished his outer work. Jesus entered the wilderness hills and experienced the three temptations, in which he was required to choose one of three alternatives, a choice that the Father would have allowed.

Those inner initiations in the wilderness prefigured three outer courses of events, one of which he was required to choose: He could live his life publicly as the Son of Man; he could train twelve disciples and found a new religion; he could proclaim himself the Messiah and create a revolution to become king of the Jews. Sixty-five other men had already proclaimed themselves messiah and had ended being crucified as rebels against Rome.

Robert Graves, in his novel King Jesus (1946), posed Antigonus II Mattathias, the last Hasmonean king of Judea, as the father of Mary the mother of Jesus, making him the maternal grandfather of Jesus Christ. Graves claimed he had proof supporting this, but never published it.

Jesus vowed to live as a Son of man and never call on his heavenly Father's Legions to aid or save him. Thus, he renounced his royalty on earth. He chose to call himself the Son of man publicly, and only his disciples and a few close followers knew or recognized his true identity. He kept his vows, though he said, "Do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father and He will provide me with more than twelve legions of angels?" – Matthew 26:53. He also said, "Oh my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me." – Matthew 26:39. Knowing in advance that he would be crucified, Jesus kept his vows.

Great crowds always followed him, and he taught thousands, young and old. In John 9 and 10, certain of the temple administrators and officials plotted to trap him into publicly stating that he was the Messiah so they could have Rome crucify him. Their propagandists were always questioning him before the crowds. They gathered around him and said, "If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." – John 10:24.

Jesus repeats the story of the good shepherd three times in this text. This chapter holds three outstanding factors: Jesus said, I am the door. My sheep know my voice. I have power to lay down my life and take it up again.

First, he said that a door exists that thieves and robbers do not use. He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. – John 10:1. You go through a door, not over the top of the protective wall. The thieves and robbers represent those groups who worked against Jesus, influencing people against him and who tried to lure his disciples away.

Then he said, "I am the door of the sheep." – John 10:7. This is a mystical saying, and as plain a statement of his identity as Messiah as he could make. The mystery was for those who had ears to hear. He was referring to their souls as his sheep.

As the Messiah, he repeated this promise to John in the Book of the Revelation: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. – Revelation 3:20. These words apply today. Jesus stands at the door, which is the crown of the head, and knocks, which means the Christ Light awakens the higher creative center by which you maintain contact with God. When you pray and breathe deeply, the higher breath enters the door in the crown (at the foramen, the soft spot on a baby's head) where the Spirit enters. So the verse refers to the opening of the door of the higher creative center to understand his truth.

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. – John 10:12-13. Hirelings include the many kings and rulers throughout history who have misled or abused their sheep. Jesus said to his antagonists, "You do not believe, because you are not of my sheep." They did not have ears to hear him.

In another sense, the sheep refer to the hardworking but uneducated people. After the Resurrection, Jesus admonished Peter three times to "feed my sheep," who are the gullible ones, those who likely will follow the thieves and robbers who steal their identities.

If you awaken in the morning and feel far from God, you did not lift yesterday's events the night before. While you were out, the appetitive soul took charge, fears and doubts entered, and you awakened with emotional heaviness. Before going to sleep, declare that you will awaken light, healthy and inspired. Thus, you keep the door of the crown open.

Jesus often talked about sheep. In one sense, the sheep are your thoughts, light and dark, black or white. Everything you desire, covet or create count among your sheep. They know that you've named them with your own rate of vibration. Your sheep carry that vibration which is harmonious with yours. You also know disharmony. You label things good or bad, and your words always come home to roost.

Jesus said, "I lay down my life for my sheep." This declaration was true, literally and mystically. He gave his life to lift the vibration of the planet in three ways: Lifting individuals, lifting groups of people, and lifting the world vibration. He is the great ensample.

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. – John 10:2-3. Jesus knew each soul's name and number. Your sheep are your emotions as well as your thoughts, and they can keep you in bondage if you allow them.

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. – John 10:7-9. Spirit enters through this door. Opening the door begins with aspiration, and the first breath of divine inspiration that comes to you. As your awareness increases, aspiration and inspiration become intuition and illumination. Through ascended consciousness, you are free to reach the glory of God. Thus the doorkeeper is the inspiration that leads you to the high place. The doorkeeper is also your spiritual insight, illumination, the Holy Spirit, Spirit of truth and the Light moving in to uncover the dark places.

On the night when you do not protect yourself enough, the past and subconscious come through the door. The rational soul uses the brain cells, but the subconscious hangs onto the conscious mind like a drag anchor. You need a high lifeline to grasp, to hold yourself high above the subconscious nightmare. Declare that everything that touches your brain cells is lifted into the Light, that nothing from the past can touch you, and declare what you do want. This is how to keep the door open legally.

When Jesus said he was the door of the sheep, he wanted us to understand that our thoughts are our sheep. Everything you touch or create also becomes one of your flock. Your thoughts know your voice and return to you in pleasant or unpleasant ways. You name something with every breath you take. Whatever you name today goes out and brings back yesterday's sheep.

Jesus said you must know the voice of your shepherd. This is a vibration seeking a like vibration – you know what belongs to you and you know your own. Eventually, everyone must learn to lead his sick little black sheep into the open for cleansing after wintering in the unclean sheepfold.

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. – John 10:15-18.

To "lay down your life" means to recognize and lift opinions, prejudice, blame, arrogance and pride. You can literally die for these by holding on to what betrays you. Few accept the law on the mundane level, and even when they accept, they do not always live the law. One root of blame is holding an exaggerated good opinion of yourself. Lack of care for your body is breaking the law, so t o lay down your life means to lay down every negative, to retain only virtues.

To "take up your life" means to be responsible for keeping the vows you make. You must take responsibility for your life, and idle words are the principal thing to avoid. They carry a negative vibration and your sheep believe every word you speak. You cannot excuse yourself by saying, "I didn't mean it!" Take up your cross of responsibility and do not use idle words.

Assume responsibility for the words you speak. Every combination of words has a particular meaning and vibration. When idle words go forth, you must reach out with love and gather in the black sheep you have raised. Idle words are the curse many good people bear, who wonder why God has not answered their prayers. Follow an idle word with a dozen good words immediately!

When great Power goes forth, much chicanery, treachery and deceit comes to light. Do not hate dishonest politicians, but have compassion for them; they should not be in Washington. To cleanse the government's Augean stables, you must first cleanse yourself of opinions, prejudices and blame. God has not cleansed the world because the good people are too often lukewarm and indifferent to Him.

The evil ones hide among the hirelings who fear the truth. They try to choke off the good by misleading the gullible public, just as they did in Jesus' time. We must cleanse the atmosphere of their confusing evil propaganda. Declare that Jesus' words cleanse evil's residue here and now.

In a cleansed atmosphere, his words can dispel confusion and impress the hearts and minds of men with the truth and love of God. Take blame for what others around you say, to lift it and cleanse the world. As the River of Life moves through you, it cleanses you. Power is always available, so you can speak the Word and know you can access the wisdom and love of God.

How high can you extend your vision into the Light? How great can God become for you? How greatly can He act though you? How magnificent is His forgiveness, bringing you back into the fold? Praise Him.

The porter is inspiration, which opens the door first. The porter is spiritual insight, the Holy Ghost, the Light shining to uncover the dark places. Ascend in consciousness to Jesus the Christed of God and see him as the porter who opens your door of the crown. See him as your guiding star!