The fellowship of Yahweh

The sheepfold of the New Covenant is the fellowship of Yahweh. This is the third phase of Christ’s ministry as the great Shepherd. Jesus declared, ‘I AM the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.’ Joh 10:14-15. Jesus was saying that His sheep know and are known by Him, in the same way that the Father and Son know and are known by each Other. He was referring to the way of offering within the fellowship of Yahweh. Joh 17:20-21.

Significantly, Jesus was not praying only for the sheep of Israel. We note that He referred to all those who believe in Him through their word. Jesus was speaking about these other sheep, when He said, ‘And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one Shepherd.’ Joh 10:16. Jesus was referring, of course, to all the Gentiles who would receive His word and would come, by faith, into the fellowship of His name. Jews and Gentiles are to be one flock, with one Shepherd.

Describing the way of life in the fellowship of Yahweh, Jesus testified, ‘My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No-one takes 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 command I have received from My Father.’ Joh 10:17-18. In addition to revealing the culture of life within His sheepfold, Jesus was also emphasising the wonder, that the protection and nourishment of sheep is the resurrection life that is available to them in the fellowship of Christ’s offering and sufferings.