He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out
Mon, 27 March, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.
1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Jesus speaks of His people as sheep and Himself as the Shepherd. He watches over, guards and protects His people, and they listen to and follow Him.
What do we learn from this?
In this passage, Jesus tells us that His sheep follow Him, for they know his voice. What a comforting thought that is. Jesus acknowledges that there are people who desire to steal and harm His people. There are false teachers out there who have their own plans for the people of God. These malicious people will enter the church and join with the His flock, but not by coming through faith in Jesus Christ (the door), but instead will come of their own way (climbing over the walls). They will try to lead the people of God astray. But they will ultimately not have success, for God’s people will not listen to them.
What a comfort this is to us. We know that there are so many false teachers who are leading many astray. How do I know that I am not following one of them? How do I know that the church I attend isn’t teaching something false about God? How do I know I’m not following one of these false shepherds that is in fact a thief preying upon God’s flock?
Jesus tells us that if we belong to Him, we will eventually recognize false teachers. He will call to us effectually, and lead us out of the error. He will call us by name, and we will follow Him. We will flee from the false teachers, because in them we hear the voice of those who are strangers to God.
Where is Christ in this passage?
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who protects His sheep. He calls to them by name and brings them out of their lost condition and brings them into the safety of His sheepfold where He cares for and protects them. He gathers His people into His church, protecting them from error and false teaching.
