He Calls His Own

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him, the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

John 10:1-3

Christ’s people hear His voice. The Middle Eastern shepherds have a peculiar noise they employ to call their sheep to them. Their own sheep recognize the sound and respond. Thus, the flocks of several shepherds can be mixed together while the shepherds socialize, and when the moment arrives for them to part company each shepherd calls to his sheep and they follow him, separating themselves from the others. Christ uses this familiar illustration to demonstrate how He leads His people. More than that, He calls them by name indicating how well He knows them. Those of us who have heard His voice can testify of this calling and leading. We have not sought Christ to be our shepherd. Rather He has claimed us, spoken to us, called us to Himself and leads us. We do not even choose our own path. Rather He walks before us, leading us in the way He wants us to go. In the 23^rd Psalm David eloquently describes this relationship between Christ and His people. He articulates how complete and intimate that relationship really is. He shows how it develops and continues all the way to His eternal dwelling. We are His sheep. He is leading us in the path of righteousness for His Name’s Sake.

Our Good and Loving Shepherd,
we rejoice that You speak to us personally.
We praise You that You lead us along the right path.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning