To Be One of His Sheep

The Jews continue to ask Jesus for His true identity. They ask Him, “How long do you keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answers, “I told you, and you do not believe.” He further explains, how His works done in His Father’s name, show who He is. The problem lies in their not being His sheep. Then Jesus explains what it means to be one of His sheep. To be within His sheepfold as one of His sheep, implies hearing His voice, being known of the Father and to follow Him.

One of His Sheep: Hearing His Voice

“My sheep hear My voice,” Jesus tells them. He had already told the story of the sheepfold and how the sheep recognize the shepherd. “Deep calls unto deep” the Psalmist writes. The Spirit of God awakens and calls to life the spirit within man. No one can forget that voice which calls them out of death’s cold darkness, not only to live, but to live abundantly!

Known of the Father

The Father knows His own. He is the creator. Who better to understand our weakness, our needs, than the One who calls us into being at conception and then draws us into His fold? Jesus, One with the Father, through His own life and death, sympathizes with our weakness. The all-seeing, all-knowing God of the universe sees us, entirely.

Follow Him

It is easy to follow when you know the voice. For this voice, the voice of the Almighty calls to life, eternal life. There is no death nor destruction in this path. It offers nourishment and security. ” He is able to keep” the scripture tells us. “No one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” Jesus said, and He said it twice!!

Amongst the rabble of boisterous voices, the still small voice of the Saviour says, “Follow Me”, “He who comes to Me I will not cast out!” And as Paul in His letter to the Romans (8: 38,39 KJV) writes, “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life….. shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” To be within His sheepfold as one of His sheep, implies hearing His voice, being known of the Father and to follow Him.