Monday, April 22, 2013
SPEAK! WE HEAR! AT THY COMMAND
John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
A favorite section of the Bible for many Christians is John 10. Here Jesus identifies Himself in a picturesque way. He says: "I am the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep." "I know my sheep and my sheep know me."
There's the story of a traveler in the Holy Land who came upon several flocks of sheep grazing on a hillside. When the time came for the sheep to be guided back to the sheepfold for the night, each shepherd called out to his sheep to follow. At the sound of the shepherds' calling all the flocks began to separate with each sheep following its own shepherd. "That's amazing!" the traveler remarked to one of the shepherds. "Only *your* sheep come when you call. None of the others. How does that happen?" "Well, sheep are stupid animals in lots of ways," he said. "They can't find green pasture on their own. I have to lead them out here. They can't sense water from a distance like camels. I need to direct them over to the stream for a drink. They get lost easily. Whenever it happens I have go on a search and rescue mission. But one thing sheep have going for them. They've got a keen sense of hearing. When I call out to them they are able to recognize the sound of my voice and they will follow only me."
How fitting that the Bible uses this picture to illustrate our relationship with Jesus. Left to ourselves we're helpless. We can do nothing to supply our needs for this life or the next. Left alone we would get lost (and stay lost) in the barren wilds of the unbelieving world. We'd never find our way to heaven. But the Holy Spirit has blessed us with ears that recognize the voice of our Shepherd. He has given us the desire to follow Him in obedient faith. We know His voice will direct us safely all along our earthly way. He will guide us faithfully into the green pastures of His Word and beside the still waters of His sacraments, which He uses to restore our souls, filling us with the peace of sins forgiven. He will lead us in paths of righteousness (blessed paths!) for His name's sake, all the way home to the heavenly sheepfold.
