I was struck yesterday by a simple thought from my Bible reading: the sheep hear the voice of their shepherd, recognize his voice, and follow his voice. Three simple thoughts jumped out at me from my reading in John 10.
First, as a follower of the Good Shepherd, I must hear his voice. Jesus speaks. Am I listening? Jesus communicates his will. Am I attentive? Jesus tells me what is best for me? Am I paying attention? In the midst of lots of other noise in our busy commotion-filled world, when do I take time to hear the voice of my Good Shepherd? Do I hear him daily? weekly? monthly? Do I hear him regularly? Do I hear him often enough to know his heart and will and desire? The sheep hear the voice of the shepherd.
Second, the sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd. We live in a world of competing claims. Many would seek to interpret the voice of the shepherd for us. There are spiritual ventriloquists who are able to make it sound almost like the real thing. Recognizing someone’s voice requires hearing that voice again and again (unless you have caller ID). Hearing the voice again and again leads to recognition. Your favorite preacher or teacher, regardless of how biblically accurate he may be, can never substitute for your own ability to recognize the voice of your shepherd.
Third, the sheep follow the voice. May I observe what goes without saying? One cannot follow if one does not hear and recognize the instructions. The sheep follow the shepherd.
This is not a multiple choice test. Shall I hear, recognize or follow? Impossible. These concepts fit together. They are a package deal. The answer is “All of the Above.”