Our Messiah is the Cosmic and Universal Christ. He is the Christ of all people, living and dead. He is the Christ of those who lived before Him and those who would come after Jesus of Nazareth. He is not the private possession of Jews or Christians. He is the Lord of the whole earth; He is the Lord of all humans. That very One descended to Hades to break its ultimate power over humanity. He who left the 99 for the one went in search of other sheep. When we read, “Other sheep I have, not of this fold” we think of the mission to the Gentiles. But there were others who lived before Him who could never have known about Him. His love for the sheep sent Him to preach a sermon and offer the grace of the gospel to them as well. This is a part of His mission of uniting all things in heaven and earth (Ephesians 1:9-10); there will be one flock and one Shepherd.
“13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. (John 10:13–17 ESV).
