My Sheep Hear My Voice
My Sheep Hear My Voice
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” – John 10:27-28
What do you think of when you hear that Jesus is your Good Shepherd?
The Shepherd metaphor in the Bible was absolutely perfect for the people who were the original audience, but today shepherding isn’t so common and we can easily miss some of the meaning of certain aspects of the shepherd metaphor.
One thing that is amazing about shepherds and their sheep is the relationship that forms between them, at least when they are good shepherds.
- The shepherd watches out for the sheep.
- He provides for them.
- He treats injuries and disease.
- He guides them away from danger, even when the sheep seems intent on getting into danger.
- He protects them, even with his own life.
A shepherd knows his sheep and they know him. They trust him and they are completely reliant on their shepherd. And, yes, sheep really do know the voice of their shepherd. Check out the video below. It’s pretty amazing!
This is what makes the shepherd such a wonderful metaphor for our relationship with God.
He cares for us, provides for us, loves us, heals us, and directs us away from danger even when we are the ones who get ourselves into trouble. He even gave His life for us. He knows us and He reveals Himself to us so that we can hear His voice and follow Him. Also, we are completely reliant on Him. God provides everything we need for life and salvation and that life and salvation can come from no one else.
The Search for God
With all the places people go looking to commune with God and all the sources they seek out to hear God’s voice, there is one place we know we will hear Him.
We hear Him in His Word.
That is where we can be sure God speaks to us and reveals himself to us. So, many people want God to reveal Himself to them, but they reject His Word. Like the Jews in the John 10 passage, even when Jesus has made it obvious, those who are not His sheep, who do not listen to His voice, miss it. However, for those who hear and believe, He will give them eternal life and no one can snatch them out of His hand.
Dear Jesus,
Open my ears that I may hear Your voice. Make me Your sheep and be my shepherd.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
