https://odb.org/2023/11/08/knowing-the-shepherds-voice
Ivan, my elder son, rescued a kitten who suddenly appeared at our home two years back. She was probably just two weeks old only then. Ivan then left for the UK to complete his 3rd year law degree and has been working there on a graduate’s visa since he graduated. So, as I had taken over caring for Cotton, she is now de facto my cat, although perhaps she is de jure still Ivan’s. Res ipsa loquitur- the facts speak for itself! (Pardon my use of legal latin – just exercising my mind on the possible layman usage of these terms).
Thus, Cotton will come to me when I call her as she recognises my voice. Actually, not only mine but my wife’s and my younger son’s and also Ivan’s when he’s home. The point is that Cotton is ours and we are her family (in fact, her world), so she knows and responds to our voices. She meows away when she hears us call!
This is what, in my view, Jesus was trying to convey when He taught in John 10:1-10 that the sheep recognises and listens to the voice of the Shepherd. Like in the case of Cotton, He is now our world, and we are His. We will, therefore, listen to Him and follow Him. Christ emphasises this point further in verse 9 by declaring that He is the gate, and whoever enters through Him will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. Elsewhere Jesus taught that He is the river of living waters that whoever drinks of Him shall never thrist – alluding to the fountain of water of life that we so long and look forward to one day in the new heaven and new earth as revealed to John in Revelation 21:6.
In John 10, Jesus warned of thieves and robbers who came before Him whom the sheep would not listen to. But are we heeding His advice? Are we instead listening to and following thieves and robbers who are hell-bent (how apt!) to steal our blessings and rob us of our inheritance in Christ? We are supposed to find pasture in Christ, the gate, and the Shepherd, but are we? He is the true pasture that feeds both our body and soul. Don’t be distracted, and don’t be led astray. Don’t be like Esau signing away his father’s blessings for him, his birthright, in exchange for a bread and a lenthil stew (Genesis 25:32-34). Always think and act with eternity in mind!
Ronnie's Thoughts 