Have you ever visited a farm where they raise sheep? This past spring we visited one that had a few sheep on it, and we got to see twin lambs being fed from bottles. Other lambs were frisking around, even though there was still some snow left on the ground.
Sheep can teach us many important lessons about ourselves, because we are like them in many ways. In the Bible, the Lord Jesus often refers to you and me as sheep. They are foolish animals that need someone to take care of them, because they can’t take care of themselves.
A person who takes care of sheep is called a shepherd. When the Lord Jesus lived here on earth, He talked about how He was the Good Shepherd. He said many wonderful things, but one important thing He said was this: “He [goes] before them [His own sheep], and the sheep follow Him: for they know His voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers” (John 10:4-54And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. (John 10:4‑5)).
In countries near Israel, the shepherds know their sheep so well that they give names to them and call them by their names. The sheep know their own names and their shepherd’s voice, and they come when he calls them. They will not follow a stranger.
One time a visitor to that area wanted to prove that the sheep really knew their shepherd’s voice. He put on the shepherd’s clothes and learned the names of the sheep. Then he went close to the flock and called them by their names. The sheep looked at him, but not one of them went to him. He was a stranger, and they did not know his voice.
Do you know the Good Shepherd’s voice? Have you heard Him calling your name and telling you, “Come unto Me ... and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28))? If you have answered Him and have let Him wash you clean from your sins, then you belong to Him. Do you ask the Lord Jesus to help you to follow Him? He will show you how through His Word and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Even very small children can learn to talk to Him in prayer about what worries or troubles them. He is never too busy to listen, because He loves you so much!
But there is a stranger who wants you to listen to his voice. He tells you to do wrong things. You know who that stranger is, don’t you? It is Satan. We need to ask the Lord Jesus every day to help us not to listen to the stranger’s voice, but to listen to the Good Shepherd’s voice. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:2727My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27)).
Do you know the Good Shepherd? Are you following Him? We hope so.
ML-08/31/2008