![]() ![]() This passage follows immediately on the healing of the man born blind, who had been cast out of the synagogue because of his faith in Jesus. In the first figure he is clearly setting himself apart as the True Shepherd of the sheep in contrast to the false shepherds. Our Lord builds his teaching around four figures that are taken from the life of a shepherd. ![]() In this section of John we have a picture of Jesus as the Shepherd, not the sheepherder, of the sheep. But I have learned there is a great deal of difference between a Western sheepherder and an Eastern shepherd in the way they care for their flocks. Sometimes they did a good job and sometimes they did not. They were hired to take care of the sheep. There, sheepherders were considered the lowest form of life and were not very highly regarded in Montana society. I grew up in Monta-a-ana where there are lots of sheep. In the 10th chapter of John, Jesus assumes the role of the Shepherd of the sheep. What a comforting thing it is to know we have such a Shepherd. He leads us in paths of righteousness he makes us lie down in green pastures he leads us beside still waters he takes us through places of danger and darkness. Many Christians have read it in times of pressure and of danger. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.No part of Scripture is better loved than the 23rd Psalm. If there are any ways that my lifestyle is drowning out Your voice, please show me and help me to change. Please continue to teach me how to hear You. I know that apart from You I can do nothing. He has so much to say – and we need to hear from Him, our Good Shepherd.įather, I am so grateful that You speak to me through Your Spirit who lives inside me. And as Christians, we must be careful not to allow the world to drown Him out. Have you heard God speak to you lately? If you are a Christian, you should know His voice. And the longer we walk with God, the more recognizable His voice becomes. ![]() It’s impossible to fully explain it to someone else, because as a believer, we just know when God is speaking. It comes through conviction of sin, through Scripture, and through a still, small voice in your heart and mind. One of the distinguishing characteristics of a true Christ follower is the recognition of God’s voice. When Christ spoke her name, Mary recognized His voice…she knew Him personally. What a beautiful picture of sheep and Shepherd. One word, “Mary,” and she knows it is her “Rabboni.” She falls at His feet to cling to Him and worship Him. When Jesus first approaches her, she thinks He is the gardener…until He says her name. When she went to the tomb and found it empty she was deeply distressed, thinking someone had moved His body. Throughout the Scripture she is present in His life and clearly had a deep, abiding faith in Him. Mary Magdalene loved Christ with all of her heart. In John 20, he recounts Mary Magdalene’s first encounter with her Lord after He was raised from the dead. One of the most compelling illustrations of knowing Christ’s voice is found in John’s gospel account of the resurrection. What does a good shepherd do? He cares for his sheep, protects them, feeds them, and keeps them from wandering away. John 10:14 calls Jesus the Good Shepherd, and this is a wonderful description of Him. Part of the job of a shepherd is to know the cries of his sheep and the sheep know the voice of a good shepherd. God has built moms that way – to know the voice and cries of their children. There can be a crowd of children playing, laughing and screaming on a playground, and if a child calls, “Mommy!” she can discern her little one’s voice from all the others. It is interesting how a mother knows her child’s voice. “My sheep listen to My voice I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27 ![]()
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