Follow the voice of the Shepherd

By WAYNE STEWART

July 24, 2011

Here’s a question worth pondering, when the Master calls do you know who it is; or how about this, do you mistake the someone else’s call for the Master’s?

Let’s take a look at John 10 and see what Jesus has to say.

“The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd for the sheep. The gatekeeper 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 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…

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” — John 10:2-5, 11-16

This passage of scripture is full of symbolism all people must take to heart and understand. This is not some allegorical story Jesus is telling, but he is instructing people on how Jesus deals with those who are called by his name, and he also warns those who are called by his name not to listen to another voice, and Jesus also warns those who would seek to take his sheep.

First, let’s go over what Jesus told the people. Jesus said he enters by the door. There is nothing nefarious with Christ, nothing sneaky, Jesus only comes where he is welcome. The doorkeeper, the Holy Spirit, then opens the door and Jesus calls for those who believe to come to him. The Greek word for called in this instance is “kaleo,” which means to invite, which is what Jesus does. All are invited, but only a few heed the call; there is a secondary meaning to “kaleo,” as it also means to receive the name of something. So, Jesus comes into the sheep pen and invites people to take the name of Jesus upon them.

Jesus then calls his sheep by his name and they follow and notice what the scripture says, Jesus leads them out. Dealing with livestock can be a frustrating experience. Around here people like to drive cattle, usually, but sheep and goats are a different story.

Sheep and goats tend to develop a relationship with the shepherd and it is against their instinct to run away and be in fear of their Master. Instead, they will follow the shepherd anywhere. The shepherd leads the way, the shepherd keeps away the predators that would ravage the flock. The shepherd knows the way home.

This is exactly how Jesus deals with believers. Jesus will never push, you choose to follow or get left behind. We know from Paul there are all kinds of spiritual battles being fought around us, but there is comfort in knowing that Jesus already has defeated the enemy. Jesus defeated Satan and fulfilled the penalty of sin when he voluntarily gave his life up on the cross. Jesus defeated death when he walked out of the tomb three days later.

Being called by the name of Jesus allows us, his sheep, to share in his victories sealed by his name.

“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” — Ephesians 1:13

That is our brand and for the true believer it means nothing Satan or the world throws at us will ever separate us from our faithful shepherd.

Then, beginning in verse 11, Jesus gives instructions about the role pastors should have. Pastor David Guzik wrote, “The bad shepherd thinks the flock exists for his benefit, but the good shepherd lives (and dies) for the good of the sheep.

“… The faithful pastor will, as an under-shepherd, display the same characteristics as the Good Shepherd. He will sacrifice for the sheep, know the sheep, and be known by them. He will be a shepherd and not a hireling who does not care about the sheep.”

 Last week the power of the “Word” was the topic. It is important all believers immerse themselves in the word of God. One of the problems these days is reading the Bible is an afterthought to most people. The good shepherd speaks to his sheep through the word. And, if the sheep do not know the words from the Shepherd, how can they discern when a thief is calling?

So, beware brothers and sisters, be sure it only is the Shepherd’s voice you hear.

Now, before wrapping this up, we will come to the end. In John 10:17-18 Jesus said he voluntarily gives his life for the sheep, and he, by his own power, takes his life back up again. Through this power Jesus offers life to the believer. Through God’s infinite mercy, this salvation is offered to all, Jew and Gentile alike. All are welcome to come to Christ. There are no prerequisites to pass, but it can only be through Christ, as Jesus is the only shepherd that can lead the flock to the Father.