JOHN 10:1-10 KNOWING HIS VOICE

1 “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.

7 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Jesus is God’s Word to God’s people. We cannot know what the divine plan is for each individual, but our experience is that some respond to his voice and some do not. At any given moment we can only know those who have responded as God’s people. Our role is to follow our shepherd and to follow him exclusively. To try to determine who will and who will not respond to Jesus’ voice and why is to get out in front of our shepherd. We need to concentrate on learning his voice, listening to his voice and being led by his voice.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who will lead us to the pasture that has been prepared for us by the Father. We can know his voice because it is always consistent with the message of God as recorded in Scripture. Any message that is contrary to the biblical message is spoken by the voice of the one who deceives. His only purpose is to steal as many of the sheep as possible. Beware of a message that promises an easier or quicker way, one that avoids personal responsibility or even one that denies the reality of man’s sinful nature. When it comes to theology and salvation, an “I’m O.K. – your O.K.” message always indicates that the voice is not Jesus. Another hallmark of the enemy’s message is that it calls you to assert yourself and tries to convict you that you can earn your salvation. To the contrary, if the voice challenges you to greater discipline, endurance and dependence upon God, it is the voice of your Shepherd.

Jesus, my Shepherd, protect me from the siren voices of the world that are tools of the Thief. May I always hear and respond to your voice over the din that pervades my life. Lead me and empower me along the hard and narrow road that leads to God’s eternal presence. Amen.