John 10:3-4 ” 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. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

Throughout both the New & Old Testament, Jesus Christ is called the Good Shepherd, the Shepherd of Israel, and the Great Shepherd. Isaiah 40:11 tells us that the Messiah will tend His flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs in His arms & carry them close to His heart; and He will gently lead those who have young. But why do sheep (or we for that matter) need a shepherd? If you’ve ever raised sheep, you know they can be kind of flighty…that’s why you usually see guard dogs, goats, & shepherds as part of the flock to watch over and guide them safely. Again, Isaiah points out these tendencies to wander, when he writes, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way…” (Isaiah 53:6) But as His flock, these verses in John should also give us great encouragement. First, we see the hired hand recognize his master & promptly open the only gate to welcome him in. Then we see the sheep give immediate attention to the shepherd as He calls out each one of them by name. Finally, as the shepherd leads the way out, the sheep follow…out of obedience, love, & adoration for the Shepherd who they know cares deeply for each one of them. “For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hands. Psalm 95:7

Author: kezha1

A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ. View all posts by kezha1