King & KingdomsSýnishorn

As we have read through the narratives in the Old Testament, we have seen a theme of God leading and graciously shepherding His people. Now, here in the Gospels, we see Jesus beginning to explain His role as the Good Shepherd and only Way for people to get to heaven. In today's passage, we are reminded the means of distinguishing between false and true Shepherds. Jesus explained that a true Shepherd of God's people would have a voice that only His people would know and follow.

A true Shepherd, a true Messiah, would know His own sheep by name and would invite them to follow him. Sheep are not the smartest animals, so this leadership would need to be graceful, yet clear. Jesus is the only one we should follow, when false shepherds try to lead us we should never look to them, because we "don't know the voice of strangers" (verse 5).

Think it Over: Whose voice do you listen to? How can you know Jesus' voice more?