John 10:1-5
New
International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
10 “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.(A)2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of
his sheep.(B) 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his
voice.(C) He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.(D) 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and
his sheep follow him because they know his voice.(E) 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away
from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
I have always been told that sheep
are not very intelligent and we are compared to sheep many times throughout
scripture. As I read this passage I
began to realize that sheep are smarter than most people give them credit for. Yes, maybe they do wander off to places they
should not go at times, maybe they do need someone to watch after them, but
they know their master. When a stranger
comes into the pen or tries to lead them astray they do not follow because they
know their master’s voice. What is even
more interesting to me is that Jesus tells us that sheep listen to their master and will follow him.
Sheep trust their master but in the
Old Testament we see sheep that are taken as a sacrifice for their master. So, the sheep trust their master as he leads
them to slaughter. Wow, know put that in
terms for us. Jesus is not only the
gate, He is the Shepherd, He is the lamb that was slaughtered for us in order
for us to have eternal life. That is so
amazing to me!
If we listen to the Shepherd, we recognize His voice, He will lead us and
we will follow. Sometimes He may lead us
on trails that seem a little steep or really rocky but He is leading us to that
green pasture that waits ahead for us.
We may even feel that we are being slaughtered but it is not because of
our sins it is for His Glory. He has
taken the punishment for our sins already!
We need to continue to listen
to His voice and go where He leads.
As you seek Him, be sure to listen for His voice. Run, like the sheep do, from the stranger’s
voice and go towards the Master’s voice.
Remember, that if you have accepted the free gift of salvation through
Jesus Christ our Lord, you will hear the stranger’s voice and run; but you will
know the voice of the true Shepherd and will follow. Your sins have already taken the punishment
of death and you are now able to trust and follow the Good Shepherd to greener
pastures.
Seeking Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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