Listen to the voice of the shepherd. Jesus leads you to the best pastures. He is leading you to the Kingdom of God.
Daily Devotional for May 10
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. (full text at John 10:22-30)
It obscures the Word of God
For several reasons, the parable of the shepherd and the sheep is not easy to proclaim and understand today. First, most people in the city see the sheep mainly on the TV screen. The more familiar image of love and affection is of a man leading a dog.
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In a society shaped by individualism, where the individual’s rights are often distorted and exalted, it isn’t easy to see a positive association with the sheep farmer.
Also, a sheep is hardly associated with an intelligent or courageous animal. Therefore, some people feel that comparing themselves to sheep offends their self-esteem.
But let’s not allow such things to obscure the valid message of God’s Word that Jesus is communicating to us.
You are God’s Treasure
Jesus did not intend His parable to evoke any disturbing associations. Instead, he wanted us to understand the principle of communication between God and man.
The sheep are the shepherd’s property and sole possession. The shepherd lives with them in the mountain pastures. The parable depicts Christianity as a personal relationship between believers and Christ. Christ calls Christians His property and possession—Jesus, who knows each of us by heart and loves us.
Listen to the Voice of the Shepherd
Accordingly, Christians follow Christ because they trust him. He does not lead to destruction or error. What Christ says is correct and essential. We enjoy living in his presence.
We follow Christ willingly, not because we fear him.
Christ makes great promises to his own. After a short and fragile earthly life, he gives us eternal life. This is not just an abstract promise for the future.
Christ fulfills this promise for those who have completed the journey of earthly life and crossed over into the next world and for all of us who are still on the earth today. We already share in eternal life by faith.
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus Christ, Your word speaks to our lives. You are the Good Shepherd, seeking us, calling us by name, catching us where we are lost.
You do not bear sin; you took it in your death. Risen from the grave, you give us eternal life with You. Let us find faith in you – even in doubt. Guide us on our journey through the dark valleys and the bright heights. Keep us in the fellowship of you who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns from everlasting to everlasting. Amen.
