Hearing the Shepherd's - Voice John 10:3

The apostle John 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”, and in chapter ten and verse three of his book John wrote how Jesus said, “to him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice” where we read:

To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice:

and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.

The verse reads, “To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice:” John began with the words, “to him the porter opens” which means “to the shepherd who is the doorkeeper the gate-keeper opens up”; “and the sheep” or “and the four footed tame animals that are accustomed to graze” “hear his voice” which means “are endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving, understanding the shepherd's sound and tone of uttered words”. John shared how Jesus referred to the “gate-keeper” who allows entry to the “shepherd”, and the “sheep hear” his specific tone and sound.

The verse continues, “and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.” John added the words, “and he calls his own sheep by name” which means “and the shepherd bids and salutes the shepherd's own personal sheep by means of their proper names”, “and leads them out” or “and brings or fetches his sheep through the door”. John shared how Jesus continued His reference to a “shepherd” beckoning his own “sheep” by their “names” and “leading” them through the entry and exit door where the “sheep” were kept.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus used the example of a “shepherd” calling and “leading” his sheep to demonstrate His purpose and plan upon the earth. Jesus is the Great Shepherd, and His desire is to have people believe and follow Him when He calls. “Sheep” know the “voice” of their “shepherd”, and those who have given their lives to Jesus Christ become as His “sheep” who “hear and understand” His “voice” and follow Him wherever He leads.

Next time John shares how Jesus says, “when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them”, 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".