"There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?" Verses 19-21.

Those who foolishly believe that if 'you stick to the simple gospel message' you will please the people around, are very much mistaken.

If Christ upset and divided people when He out of true heart and in love preached and divided people, how much more so it will be with us given all our faults?

Let us get to the heart of the parable.

The sheepfold is a picture of the Church of God.

It was a separated place for the sheep to be taken in the hours of darkness. All round us today is darkness. 1 Peter 2:9. 1 Tim 3:15.

It was a place of protection from danger. Out of the darkness comes danger. Col 1:13. "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son."

I am sure that there were lights in the sheepfold. Shepherds would need light to watch out for predators and also the welfare of the sheep. John 12:46. Psalm 89:15 - called into the light by the 'joyful sound' of the gospel!