Hearing the Shepherd

John 10:3-5,27 ESV
“…The sheep hear His voice, and he calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.  When He has brought out all His own, He goes before them, and the sheep follow Him, for they know his voice. 

A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

During World War I, some soldiers tried to steal a flock of sheep from a hillside near Jerusalem. The sleeping shepherd awoke to find his flock being driven off. He couldn’t recapture them by force, so he called out to his flock with his distinctive call. The sheep listened and returned to their rightful owner. The soldiers couldn’t stop the sheep from returning to their shepherd’s voice.

Jesus points out that sheep only listen to the voice of their own particular shepherd. They won’t listen to a stranger.  Then He says the Shepherd calls the sheep by name, showing that the Shepherd has a personal connection with each and every sheep. The Shepherd  leads them, providing direction and leadership.

Jesus said; “My sheep hear My voice” (this is our ability to hear and know who is speaking).  “And I know them” (this is the Lord’s response to our faith). “And they follow me” (this is our active obedience).

Prayer:
Lord, where You lead me I will follow. Through all the noise of this world, help my ears to be keenly aware of Your distinctive voice! In Your name Lord, Amen!