In the tenth chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus presents Himself to His people as the Good Shepherd. This is what He says about the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep, that is between the Lord and those who are His people.
“John 10, verse 3 through 5: To him [that’s the shepherd] the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. [What’s the mark of the sheep of Jesus? They hear the Shepherd’s voice.] When he puts forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. [What’s the great basis of our relationship with the Lord Jesus? We follow Him. Why? Because we know His voice.] And a stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:3-5
Everything turns around hearing and knowing the voice of the Lord. His sheep, His people hear His voice, recognize it, and follow Him. They will not follow deceivers. They will not follow false prophets and false teachers because it’s not the voice of the Lord. They know the voice of the Lord; they’re not deceived by false teachers.
In John 10:16 Jesus had been talking up until now about those who believe in Him among the people of Israel. But now He goes on to people from other nations and He says:
“I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; [not of the Jewish fold] I must bring them also, and they shall hear my voice; and they shall become one flock with one shepherd.”
What is it that’s going to draw believers to Jesus from amongst all Gentile nations? How is it they come to Him? It says, “They shall hear my voice.” That’s the distinctive mark of those who come to Jesus. And I think it’s interesting in this context, that it says, “They shall become one flock, with one shepherd.” What’s the way to Christian unity? I don’t believe it’s organization. I don’t believe it’s doctrinal or theological discussion primarily; I believe it comes as we all learn to hear the voice of the Lord. “They shall hear my voice,” Jesus says, “And they shall become one flock with one shepherd.” How? Through hearing the Lord’s voice.
Father, I pray You’ll protect me from any deceiver, any voice that wants to take Your place. Sharpen my ears to discern Your voice, and to follow You. You are my Shepherd, Lord! I also pray we’ll all learn to listen to Your voice, so there’ll be unity in Your Church. In Jesus’ Name, amen!
