John 10:1-10

Be Still: Lord, help me to recognise your voice as I read your word. Amen. 

Read: John 10:1-10

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. (v4)

Encounter: I am glad the biblical image is of sheep and shepherd, rather than pigs or cows and herdsman. Sounds nicer. But it's more significant than that. In the Old Testament the 'Shepherd and sheep' image depicted the right relationship between the King and his people (that probably links with David, the shepherd boy become King of Israel).

In early editions of the Gospel, without artificial chapter divisions, these words of Jesus continue straight after the debates as to who Jesus really is. I am the Good Shepherd, he declares, I am the king you've been waiting for. You are the sheep, my kingdom people.

When I was 6 after asking Jesus into my heart, I wrote in my Bible: ' Jesus is my shepherd...I'm his little lamb.' Hmm -- good. But honestly, aren't sheep a bit stupid? Well apparently, that's not so; I've done my research (yes, really!) Sheep are intelligent and have good memory and recognition skills. They're social animals and form strong attachments to the flock and the shepherd. They recognise the shepherd's voice and associate it with safety, care, and food. With familiarity they come to trust the shepherd - his voice is the only one that matters.

Apply: You must hear an awful lot of 'voices' every day: some helpful, some unhelpful. Family, friends, colleagues, bosses -- alongside phone calls, texts, advertising, social media ('influencers' -- bad shepherds?). Is there any danger that they are drowning out the only voice that matters? Can you hear Jesus' voice above the hubbub? Are you familiar enough with his voice that you recognise it and can easily follow him?

Well, you're clearly working on it, or you wouldn't be reading his Word. The more we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the easier it will be to recognise the Shepherd’s voice and walk behind him as he leads the way through green pastures; through hard terrain to find the pasture; through dry patches to find the flowing stream. Through life.

Devote: Lord, today I trust and follow you, my Good Shepherd.