“I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me……..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 10:14, 27-28 NIV).
How can Jesus being the good shepherd relate to you now? At the time when Jesus was living there were many shepherds in the area where he lived. He used the above words because the people who were listening to him could relate to him better when he made a connection of the shepherd and His own purpose on earth. We are in many ways like sheep. Sheep will follow one another everywhere. If one jumps the others will jump even if there is nothing to jump over. They run away and get lost and it is the shepherd’s job to go and find them and bring them back to the flock.
We have a tendency to follow the crowd and do things that aren’t Christ-like. We go astray like the sheep and wander around in a world that is dangerous and full of temptations. Jesus calls us by name but too many times we are caught up in worldly desires so much that we don’t want to listen. "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" (John 10:3-4 NIV). Jesus our shepherd is calling us by name while we wander in the wilderness of sin and hopelessness. It is up to us to listen to His voice and run to his arms to receive his forgiveness and grace. Jesus is our shepherd who loves us. "He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young" (Isaiah 40:11 NIV). I like to imagine Jesus holding me close to His heart when I am having struggles with temptations or when life's burdens threaten to overwhelm me. I picture myself in His arms safe and sound, and secure in His love. In order to hear His voice we need to be still long enough to meditate in prayer. Be sure to take time every day to just sit and listen. He is calling your name.
Dear Lord,
The world is full of things that tempt us and there are times when we stray. Help us to hear your voice and come running to you knowing that you are full of grace and mercy.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
