John 10:27-28
A sheep is a (n) animal that is steered and directed towards a certain destination; unlike many animals, sheep are aimless, harmless creatures that must be guided daily and must be protected… The bible refers to mankind as sheep and this analogy fits us to a tee… Just as sheep, we wonder through this life aimlessly with no sense of direction and if we aren’t guided will end up in harm’s way and be devoured…Sheep not only must be watched over just as we need to be, but they also must develop a sense of trust and obedience with their shepherd… Over time sheep learn the voice of their master and will follow without hesitation, this speaks to the maturity that takes place in the lives of Christians, because of the sinful nature you will not willingly follow Jesus at the outset, but with time you will not only learn to trust Him, but you will be able to decipher His voice from the voice of the enemy… Christ says in this passage taken from John that His sheep hear His voice and that He knows them just as they know Him!
Notice the first statement is rather general to the point that His sheep hear His voice, but the next statement shows that intimacy that must be present within our lives as a Christian… Christ says, I know them and they follow me… Christ understand that you aren’t perfect, He knows that you make mistakes and what this passage informs me of is that He is ready and willing to protect you, but you must first hear His voice and follow Him… So many people hear the voice of the Lord calling them, but they don’t follow, they pretend to be okay and don’t seek the help and cure that only God can provide… A shepherd must protect His sheep or they will be lost, Jesus wants to protect you, but you must follow Him or you will indeed be lost… Jesus goes on to say, “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish…” As I stated earlier, sheep are aimless creatures, but here Jesus reminds us that He will give your life a sense of purpose, He will guide you in all your ways and will make sure that you don’t’ perish… There are always times when a sheep is in danger, but a good shepherd not only can sense these times, but also can save the sheep… Jesus is informing us today that you will have times of trials, you will have times of despair and you will find yourself in times of uncertainty and danger, but Jesus wants you to find courage in knowing that if you are following Him that He will save you… Your trials won’t break you, your obstacles won’t deter you, and your enemies will not be victorious…
Not only does Jesus guarantee eternal life, but He also says, “Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand…” Once you have accepted the offering that was poured out on the cross, once you have accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, once you have entrusted your life into His hands there is nothing of this earth that can deny your place in God’s kingdom… Many people miss the fact that when you turn you life over to God that is when your trials will become real, many people overlook the fact that Satan isn’t worried about attacking you until you make Jesus your Lord… God is telling us that you will be tried when you follow Him, you will be tempted when you are doing His will, you will experience spiritual warfare once you decide to follow Jesus and He wants you to know that no weapon formed against you shall prosper, He wants you to know that all those who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved and He wants you to know that in His father’s house are many mansions… Sheep are useful animals that have value in so many forms (wool, meat, diary, landscaping etc…) They just must be directed in order to reach there potential… You have a lot of value in this life that hasn’t been seen, Jesus wants to direct your path so you can reach your full potential… Jesus told the fisherman, “come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men…” The sky is the limit when Jesus is your Pilot…
Listen to his voice, continue to walk in his path and believe in his word!
ALL FOR HIS GLORY!
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