They Know His Voice

The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. John 10:2-4

THERE WERE PLENTY of shepherds in Judea, a rocky plateau that wasn’t very good for growing crops but provided grazing land for sheep. Shepherds had to be relentlessly vigilant to protect their sheep from precipices and crevices into which they could fall. They also had to keep watch for predators or thieves. Every village around the Judean hills had a sheepfold where various shepherds brought their herds each night to keep them safe. In the morning, the shepherds would call their particular sheep out from among the animals of various herds kept in the fold overnight. Because the sheep recognized their shepherd’s voice, they would come to him, and he would lead them out.

This is the beautiful picture Jesus paints to illustrate his intimate knowing of those who belong to him. Jesus wants us to know that he is not just our King ruling over us. He’s not just our Redeemer paying the ransom for us. He’s not just our Mediator making peace for us. He’s our Shepherd, taking care of us, calling out to us, feeding us, caring for our wounds, and protecting us from falling and from predators.

As good as we seek to be as parents, our children need something more. They need a Shepherd. And they have one. The Good Shepherd will care for them in ways that we can’t and at times when we can’t. He will protect them from pitfalls we don’t see and wolves we don’t recognize. Best of all, we can be sure that when he gathers his flock, he will call his sheep by name and lead them.

Great Shepherd of the sheep, I find such peace in knowing that it is not all up to me to care for and protect ________. You are the Good Shepherd. You know your sheep, and your sheep know your voice. Good Shepherd, call out to ________ to come into the safety of your fold. Feed ________. Care for ________’s wounds. Protect ________ from harm. Lead ________ into the abundant life that is found only as a sheep of your fold.