The Shepherd’s Voice
Text: John 10:11-18
Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Every year when Good Shepherd Sunday comes around, that’s what today is, by the way. You might have guessed by the cover of the bulletin, or by the readings, or maybe by the first two hymns we already sang. But every year I learn something a little more about sheep. Which is good because not being a shepherd, at least that kind of shepherd, I don’t have firsthand experience with sheep. I’ve learned that sheep are one of the few animals with rectangular pupils that allow them to see things over a broad field of vision, but their depth perception is poor, and they often can’t make out the things that are right in front of them. They are also considered prey animals and statistics are kept in the US about how many of them fall prey to predators each year. In 2019, the number was over 225,000, with over half of the deaths being the work of coyotes. There are plenty more interesting facts about sheep that might be helpful in understanding why we as followers of the Good Shepherd are referred to as sheep, but on a day called Good Shepherd Sunday, I think it’s important that we focus on the work of the shepherd and how we as His sheep relate to Him. Specifically, today we’ll concentrate on
THE SHPEHERD’S VOICE WHICH CALLS, GUIDES, AND COMFORTS HIS SHEEP.
In our text from John 10, sheep recognize and follow the Shepherd’s voice, but flee any other voice. “I AM the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me.” Voices are unique. If you’ve heard or read anything about forensic science, you know that voiceprints are able to identify people just like fingerprints. Each voice is capable of effecting certain things in others. As much as I try, my voice doesn’t settle a restless baby in the same way as her mother’s does. The sound of a voice from the past can evoke strong emotions, both positive and negative.
I heard another pastor this week talking about being deployed in Germany and having dinner at a restaurant that overlooked a pasture. When he arrived there was one flock and one shepherd in the field with his sheep which each had a colorful mark on their fleece. Shortly another shepherd arrived with his flock which had a different color marking on their fleece and the sheep began to intermingle as they ate. Before long a third shepherd arrived with sheep marked with a third color and they too mixed in with the first two flocks. The shepherds seemed to know each other and talked while their flocks grazed. When it was time for them to leave they each went to a different corner of the field and one by one called for their sheep with a distinctive sound. Amazingly, the differently colored sheep all made their way to their own shepherd without a single one ending up going home with the wrong flock. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. Earlier on in John 10, Jesus says, “The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
In learning from the story of the shepherd’s familiar voice, we focus not on the physical attributes of the voice itself, but on what His voice tells us. Because for us, here and now, that’s what’s important. Which is why it’s important that we be able to identify our Shepherd’s voice.
In so many ways, we’re in the midst of a sea of voices calling us in every which way. There are strangers, thieves, robbers; all the voices of this world, that are trying to lead us astray. They call us to disobey the voice of God by rejecting and evading His commands. Ignoring His loving Word for us. Some of the most effective even attempt to use His Word, twisting and manipulating it in ways that would only make what their voices are trying to lead us toward seem right. Too many are falling prey to these voices. Too many are being led from the safety of the fold and becoming easy prey for the “wolf (who) snatches them and scatters them.” Distinguishing the Shepherd’s voice from all others is so important.
In a world with so many competing voices, the Shepherd’s voice might seem far away. But it’s not. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ Himself, was raised from the dead, and after 40 days ascended, left this world, and went to the Father. Even so, He is here and his voice is able to be clearly heard. We hear His voice when we open the Scriptures. We hear it when His undershepherds speak to us. In fact, we hear His voice in all who speak his Word to us—our spouses, fellow-Christians, even children.
The Shepherd’s voice can easily be connected to the tools he carries. Remember Psalm 23? “Thy rod and they staff they comfort me.” Too many see these tools as ones of manipulation. Strong arming the weak and getting those who are under their influence to obey. But it’s these tools, along with His voice, that the shepherd uses to direct and guide. He speaks the word of Law, letting us know how much we’ve sinned and deserve nothing but wrath; and the greater word of grace, forgiving our sins, opening for us the way to new, eternal life in the blessing of God. The Shepherd’s unique voice speaks both Law and the grace of the Gospel,
I have many a time saved a voicemail on my phone simply for the purpose of hearing that voice deliver the message over again. Of course, I can write the message down, but there’s something different about hearing the message delivered in the voice of the one it’s coming from. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear the Shepherd’s voice like that. Not with the head only, like some of the scribes, who were known as experts and teachers of the law, but who didn’t have His Word in their hearts. This is why we read, and learn, and commit Scripture to memory. So that the Shepherd’s voice may be recorded on the mind and in the heart.
And that’s where we need it. We need the Word of God infused into our very being, so that when all the other voices come calling, we are able to know which one is true and right. Which one we should heed and follow. If we don’t listen to His voice and know it when He calls, we will certainly fall prey to the wolf and the prowling lion who seeks to devour us.
Thanks be to God the Shepherd is always near. Always willing to speak to those whose ears are open. And not only that, but who has done for us what only the Good Shepherd would. In our text Jesus tells us, “I AM the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees.” Jesus saw the wolf coming. He knew exactly what He was doing when He stepped into the lion’s den on Good Friday. His battle with sin, death, and the devil was essential to protect His flock. “(He) lays down His life for the sheep.” And through this laying down of His life, we have been saved and “will go in and go out and find pasture.”
Having the Shepherd’s voice recorded on our minds and in our hearts means that we’re able to play that voice back whenever we need to hear it. Which is often. Think about the voices that you consume on a daily basis and how easily some of them are able to be played back at a moment’s notice. On my 17 ½ hour drive back from Tallahassee a couple weeks ago, I was absolutely amazed at the number of 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s songs I was able to sing from beginning to end as the miles flew by. And no, there is no video or audio evidence of this. And for the most part there’s nothing seriously wrong with those voices that are imprinted on my mind, but there’s a far better voice that should be just as easy for all of us to recall. It’s the voice of our Good Shepherd. Can we recall His words as well as our favorite pop song? Does His voice ring as loudly as the characters from our favorite tv shows? And does the message of the Good Shepherd guide our lives more powerfully than any other voice we might hear?
His voice is meant to be played back over and over again so that our lives would be lived according to His calling, His guidance, and His comfort. This is what His voice does for us. Through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, we have His voice to follow. And even though our hearts and minds might not always record His voice perfectly, or play it back regularly enough, it is always there for us. Because we have a merciful Good Shepherd who gave his life for his sheep. Who never tires of talking to us. Who never wearies of assuring us. And who never hesitates to call us away from danger. He is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. For you. He knows His own. May His own, each of you, know Him. And may you hear and heed His voice. Amen.
The peace of God which surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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