My sheep listen to my voice.
—John 10:27
In 2005, the Associated Press reported that in Istanbul, Turkey, a sheep jumped from a cliff to its death—and that fifteen hundred more sheep followed. Turkish shepherds had left the sheep to graze while they went to breakfast.
Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd, who knows his sheep—and they know him (Jn 10:14). He is no absentee shepherd, having a leisurely breakfast while we, his sheep, wander aimlessly.
For the Christian, who listens with obedient spirit for the voice of the shepherd, no two sentences give greater assurance of security than these: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand” (Jn 10:27–28).
The good shepherd calls his sheep by name.
I think I hear him calling your name.