John 10:1-6, He Calls Them by Name

1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

The idea of Jesus being the Good Shepherd is not something he makes up. This idea actually has a strong foundation in the Old Testament, where the shepherd symbolizes the royal caretaker of God’s people. God is the Chief Shepherd of Israel (Psalm 80:1 & 23; Isaiah 40:10-11; Ezekiel 34:11-16). He has delegated responsibility to the leaders of Israel, his under-shepherds, but they have become inadequate and selfishly unconcerned for his sheep (Isaiah 56:9-12 and Ezekiel 34:1-10). He thus promises to provide one day the true Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:17-24), who we know to be Jesus.

Ultimately, it is Jesus the Good Shepherd who we need. His voice is different from ours. His actions and motives are pure and unadulterated by sin. We know his voice because it speaks the truth. We know his voice because his words are life to us. We know his voice because the Holy Spirit helps us discern the Good Shepherd’s voice from that of strangers. We know his voice because he calls us by name.

Father, thank you that you promised to come and take up residence in us along with your Son, Jesus. Thank you that your Spirit guides us and helps us listen to his voice, the voice of the Good Shepherd. Help us today to obey to his voice, that we may honor you in our hearts, in your Church, and in the world. Amen.