A MAN was accused of having stolen a sheep. He was arrested, taken before the judge and brought face to face with his accuser who declared himself the rightful owner of the animal.
The judge, knowing that in his country it is the custom for shepherds to always walk before their flock and to call to them to follow, had the sheep brought into the court room. Then, sending the prisoner into an adjoining room, he ordered the other to call his sheep. But the sheep, which did not know his voice, paid no attention to him.
In the meantime, the prisoner was getting restless, and, chafing under the delay, began to whistle softly, giving the call to which, his flock was accustomed. This startled the sheep, who immediately ran toward the door to answer the well-known voice.
The judge had therefore no difficulty in deciding who was the real owner of the sheep.
In John 10:4, 5,4And 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) we read, “And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, 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.” In verse 11 of the same chapter:
“I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.”
You all know, dear children, who the good shepherd is—Jesus Christ, our Saviour, — the One who gave His life for the sheep. But do you know His voice, and does He know you as His own lamb?
“I know My sheep,” He says, “and am known of Mine;” and then again, “I lay down My life for the sheep.” Is not the weakest lamb safe in the care of such a Shepherd? Will you not come to Him and be safe from “the thief (who) cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”?
ML 12/20/1925