HOST: Ron House
SPONSOR: Start2Finish
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. 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.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
The thing that is most striking to me about this passage is the familiarity and relationship that Jesus speaks of between Himself and His followers. The sheep, He says, will hear and recognize the shepherd’s voice and follow Him. They know the shepherd. They trust Him. They follow Him, knowing that he has their best interest in mind. Likewise, the shepherd knows the sheep. He calls them by name, indicating that there is an individual knowledge of each sheep. He cares for them, provides for them, and protects them. What a beautiful picture of Christ’s care for those who are His. While we are certainly aware of the atoning death of Christ, we often overlook the deep level of daily care and concern that He has for each one who wears His name. He is our shepherd, knowing us individually and perfectly, and desiring to lead us to places of unmatched spiritual blessings. What is our responsibility? To follow Him! To listen to His voice, submit to His leadership, and trust Him to lead us in the way that we should go. If we will be faithful sheep, then we will reap the benefits of a caring relationship with the great Shepherd!
What is involved in being faithful sheep of Christ?
Don’t forget to pray and have a great day!
