Sheep know their spiritual shepherd because they have a relationship with their Savior, Jesus. In the Bible, believers are called sheep and share many of the same characteristics. There’s something about a relationship with our Savior that lets us hear His voice above the noise of everyday life, just as sheep recognize their shepherd’s voice.
Jesus provides insight into this shepherd-sheep relationship. John 10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.[1]
In the Middle East, a shepherd enters a busy sheepfold and personally calls out to each sheep by name. Because he spends so much time with them, they recognize his voice and feel comfortable coming to him. They know him well and trust his voice completely. Even if someone else tries to call them using the correct names, they won’t follow because they listen for that special voice they trust. As people of faith, we are the sheep of His pasture, and just as sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd, we can also identify the voice of our spiritual Shepherd.
Trusting our Shepherd
Trust develops as the shepherd cares for their sheep. Similarly, as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, our trust deepens. When I was 36, I felt the Lord calling me to change careers and become a pastor. Even though I was married with three young children and a good job, I knew I could trust the Lord even in this life-changing decision.
Perhaps you’ve experienced something similar, taking a leap of faith because you believed in your Savior’s voice. Or maybe you’re just starting your relationship with the Lord and learning to hear His voice better. If you are growing in hearing the voice of the Lord, keep spending time with Him in His word, worship, and prayer. As we do, God does something in our hearts that not only helps us hear His voice but also increases our desire to follow His guidance.
God’s Voice Leads us in the Right Direction.
A friend I went to school with was a believer, but over time drifted onto the broad road of the world. Then one day, the Lord intervened in a way that made His voice heard clearly. Responding to God’s voice, he returned to the narrow road. Like sheep, we sometimes go astray, but our Shepherd is always watching over us, caring and intervening.
I believe we would be shocked if we knew how many times the Lord had to call us back because we were wandering into danger. Not only does our Savior keep us out of danger, but knowing His voice keeps us away from the enemy who wants to lead us away from Him. John 10:8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them.[2] If you are unsure about what to do in life, listen to the voice of the Shepherd, and He will guide your way. To learn more about how sheep know their spiritual Shepherd, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-said-i-am-the-gate
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.