Thoughts on the Gospel of John (79) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which he spoke to them.
John 10:4-6.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (79)
A shepherd with his flock of sheep never fails to impress us. Here the illustration applies to Jesus Christ and the way He leads and cares for believers.

When the Lord spoke these words to the Jews, only a small portion of the people of Israel lived in their own land. Most had been scattered in all directions. One might have expected the Shepherd to gather all together and bring them back to their land - and this will happen one day (cf. Ezekiel 34:13). But the time was not yet ripe. Something new was to appear: the Christian faith. Christianity does not mean living in a land that is holy or attending places that are particularly religious. It is following Christ Himself, and maintaining a personal relationship with Him.

Many today assume that they belong to Christ's flock Does their life correspond to this beautiful, harmonious picture of the Shepherd with His sheep? Following Jesus involves denying oneself and taking up one's cross (Mark 8:34). It is not my ideas and objectives that count, but the Shepherd's voice that is decisive. His sheep detect whether the voices they hear are of divine origin and beneficial for their life of faith, or whether they come from "a stranger". They are acquainted with the Word of God, the Bible, so that strangers can exercise no permanent influence over them, however enticing their voice may be.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today's reading: Exodus 28:31-43 · Luke 11:43-54