Going Before His Sheep - John 10:4

John the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out”, and in chapter ten and verse four of his book John wrote how Jesus said, “when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them” where we read:

And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them,

and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

The verse reads, “And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, ...” John began with the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “he puts forth his own sheep” or “the shepherd drives, compels and commands his own personal four footed tame animals that are accustomed to graze”, “he goes before them” which means “the shepherd departs and leads in advance and prior to the sheep”. John shared how Jesus spoke of the way the “shepherd” departs in advance of his “sheep” and leads them.

The verse goes on to say, “... and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” John continued with the words, “and the sheep follow him” which means “and the four footed tame animals that are accustomed to graze accompany and come alongside the shepherd”: “for they know his voice” or “because, since and on account that the sheep perceive, understand, notice and discern the shepherd's sound and tone of uttered words”. John shared how Jesus said the “sheep” that belong to the “shepherd” “accompany” him because they know his “voice”.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn how the “shepherd” leads his “sheep” even as Jesus “leads” His followers. Jesus “calls” to His “own”, and He “leads” them. They follow Him because they know “His voice”. Jesus desires to be the shepherd of every person, and when they yield their life to Him, He becomes their “Great Shepherd”. They listen to Him, and go where He leads and do as He gives instruction. In other words, they have a personal relationship with Jesus. This is God's desire. He wants to have a personal relationship with every person, and when they believe and trust in His Son Jesus as their “Savior and Lord”, He will “call” them, “lead” them and give them “instruction” to fulfill His perfect plan for their lives. Eventually they will be in “Heaven” with Him where they shall spend all eternity. Oh that all who read these words would become the “sheep” of the “Great Shepherd Jesus”.

Next time John shares how Jesus says, “a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".