I AM

I AM : M. M. Ninan
6.4 I HAVE OTHER SHEEP
In his high priestly prayer just before he was laying down his life
for many, he declared the universality of his sheepfold. Until then
messiah was the King of the Jews only. Now Jesus declares that his
mesiaship is far beyond the narrow nationalistic boundaries that
were set by the Jews. The call of the Jews was for the redemption of
mankind. So, he declares to the puzzled disciples:
John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring
them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock
and one shepherd.
Eph 2:15-18 His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the
two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to
God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came
and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were
near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
But this was realized painfully through the calling of a new
Apostle - Saul turned Paul.
Eph 3:2-7 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace
that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by
revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you
will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which
was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been
revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery
is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel,
members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in
Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace
given me through the working of his power.
62