The Good Shepherd

In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The shepherd calls the sheep by name and leads them out… He goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

There is an intimacy. He calls the sheep by name and they know his voice… 

I think about how a baby very early on in life knows the voice of her mother or father, and how upon hearing that voice she will brighten up. Of course, it is the voice most familiar, most trusted. Many parents also know the voice of their children – and when we hear “Mom!” or “Dad!” we can pick it out from a crowd. That’s mine! And most of when we get a phone call, we know almost instantly, if there is something wrong, simply by the tone of the voice.

In the same way, Jesus says that his followers know his voice.

Pastor Tom Long writes, “In the flurry of voices that fill the world, the followers of Jesus listen for the sound of the voice they know best, the voice that speaks compassionately, mercifully, lovingly, and hopefully. When they hear this voice, but only this voice, they follow; they do not respond to the voices of strangers, the voices of bitterness, judgment, hatred, and strife.”

It is this voice that brings us comfort in times of distress and pain. It is this voice that calls us beyond our comfort zones to care for those no one else cares for. It is this voice that gives us meaning and hope.

May you and I continue to listen deeply and follow intently.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, we thank you for shepherding us, and for calling us by name. Help us to carve out the time and space to listen for your voice. And then, grant us ears to hear, and hearts to follow. Amen.