“My sheep listen to my voice.” John 10:27
Two men who were asked to speak to a large group of people. One was a professional actor and speaker. He studied many years learning how to speak before large audiences. He knew exactly how to emphasize certain words and how to compel people to listen to every word he said. The other speaker was an old man who was never educated. He spent many years working on his small farm trying to raise enough food to keep his family fed. He was now old and tired, with barely the strength to speak loudly enough to be heard by everyone. Both men were asked to recite the 23rd Psalm. First the great speaker arose and delivered a forceful and moving recitation of the famous psalm. He received a kind applause from the audience. Next the tired old farmer got up and recited the words of the Psalm in his creaking and crackly voice. As he spoke the last few words, the crowd of people rose to their feet and gave him a standing applause.
Later an interviewer asked the great actor and speaker why the old farmer did so much better than he did. “I think the answer is quite simple,” said the speaker. “I might have known the psalm, but that old man knew the Shepherd.”
How well do you know the Shepherd? John 10 mentions the wonderful things Jesus does for us. In verse 14 it says: “My sheep know me.” Verse 16 says: “They too will listen to my voice.” And verse 27 says: “They follow me.” These verses tell us that we must know the Shepherd, we must listen to what he has to say, and we must follow him. To have a relationship with the Good Shepherd we must know him, listen to him, and follow him. But how can we do that?
We get to know the Shepherd better when we read the Bible and when we talk to him in our prayers. We also listen to Jesus when we hear what he tells us in his Word. And not only must we hear, but we must believe it and follow what he tells us to do. We must obey his words. John 12 tells us: “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be” (John 12:26). Those are good words to remember as the Holy Spirit leads us to know our Shepherd better each day.
The King of Love my Shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever.
And, O, through all the length of days Your goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing Your praise within Your house forever. Amen.
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