RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-04-27	Jesus Said, 'My Sheep Hear My Voice' (Jn.10:27)
		Joh 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. Jesus gave us an image of Himself as the Good Shepherd. Part of that image involves His leadership over the flock. Only the Lord’s true sheep follow and obey Him because they know and recognize His voice. In John 10 Jesus grows in opposition from His enemies (mostly religious leaders). Jesus wants His disciples to recognize that He is not like the abusive religious leaders who were in constant conflict with Him and His ministry. He shows them that they must follow Him as sheep follow their shepherd. The imagery of shepherd and sheep represents a place of security for the sheep. No one can enter the fold except through the Good Shepherd (Jn.10:7-9). He alone determines who may come in. He protects His sheep and leads them, and even lays down His life for them (Jn.10:11). The shepherd gathers his flock, walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice (Jn.10:4). Christ illustrates how we ought to live. He does not have to push or prod us to follow Him but guides us by walking ahead of us. His sheep hear His voice, that is, we know His voice and recognize Him as our leader. The phrase, ‘My sheep hear My voice’ expresses personal intimacy between the shepherd and his sheep. Knowing the Lord’s voice indicates experiential knowledge through a relationship with Him (Jn.10:14). Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. My sheep hear My voice also involves the call of Jesus that brings believers into a new and abundant life of fellowship with Him (Ro.8:28–30). Jesus as the Good Shepherd calls us by name (Jn.10:3). The phrase, ‘My sheep hear My voice’ speaks of those who listen with obedient attention. One primary way we hear the Lord’s voice is through the Word of God (Ro.10:17). By hearing His voice in Scripture, we get to know Him, and knowing Him produces faith. To know God is to obey Him (1Jn.2:3-6). 1Jn 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 1Jn 2:4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. True sheep know the Lord’s voice and prove it by obeying His commands. My sheep affirms that there are true sheep and false sheep. False sheep pay no attention to the Good Shepherd's voice. My sheep also communicates the reality of our union with Christ. We belong to our Good Shepherd (Jn.17:6). Of His sheep, Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (Jn.10:28). Jesus laid down His life on the cross to give His followers eternal life, and they are safe in His sheepfold for all eternity (Jn.6:37, 39; 17:2, 9; 18:9). The Good Shepherd says, “My sheep hear My voice.” These sheep have heard the call of Christ to enter the sheepfold. And by grace the Good Shepherd saved them through faith. Now they belong to the family of God forever. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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