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The Shepherd's Voice

At one time, my family owned a guinea pig (an animal that is like a hamster) named Hershey. We would let Hershey out of his cage so he could explore the house. When it was time to put him away, he would hide. If I sat in the middle of the main room and called him by name, Hershey would come. He would “only” come to my voice. Maybe you have had a similar experience with a family pet that came when you called because he knew your voice.

Jesus tells us about a relationship that is very similar between a shepherd and his sheep.

John 10:1-5
“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

The sheep respond only to their shepherd’s voice, and they follow him. They are not being driven or forced, they are following the shepherd. Jesus is indeed our Shepherd. How do we know His voice from all other voices? We learn Jesus’ voice by hearing it over and over again, through reading and hearing His Word. It may be in daily devotions, attendance at church with sound Biblical teaching, or by receiving His precious body and blood in Holy Communion. Hopefully you experience all three regularly.

On the other hand, Jesus tells us to run from a stranger’s voice. The voices we hear that tell us about spirituality, and faith in other gods, these are voices that we do not recognize as our shepherd. We should move away from them quickly. Anyone who “sneaks” into the sheep fold is only there to harm the sheep.

How well do you know Jesus’ voice? He is our Shepherd, Savior and Lord. We should strive to know Jesus’ voice above all others.

Dear Jesus, grant to us the wisdom to know Your voice above all others. Help us to attend church regularly. Through the Holy Spirit open Your Word to us that we may see Your message clearly. May we experience Your love as our Shepherd and Savior. Amen.