MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE

Jn 10:27-30

          The last two Sundays we have been looking at the texts that tell us Jesus has risen. We have seen him appear to doubting Thomas. We have seen him appear to the disciples as he made them breakfast on the shore of the lake. The last two Sundays, we have seen that Jesus has indeed risen. We have seen that the promise he made that in three days he would rise had come true. The physical fact of the resurrection has been demonstrate very clearly these last Sundays.

          So today we take a step further. We see how the risen Lord affects our lives. In today's text, we, see the consequences of the resurrection. In the first reading we hear Paul and Barnabas preaching the risen Lord to the Gentiles. We see what the resurrection means for us in our daily living.  The risen Lord is the Good shepherd who came so that we may have life and have it abundantly.

          The word of Jesus concerning the relation between the Shepherd and the sheep belongs to a true and proper debate between Jesus and the Jews. They ask Jesus a clear question about his identity: “If you are the Christ, tell us the plain truth” (10,24). They wanted to get clear affirmation from Jesus concerning his identity.

          In response Jesus calls  himself a shepherd, that his sheep hear his voice, nobody can take them out of his hand and he is one with the Father. This is very deep statement for Jews because the title “shepherd” in the Hebrew Bible refers primarily to God who shepherds His people. This is brought out in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd”. God is portrayed as a faithful and good shepherd who leads the flock into well-being and abundance. By calling himself shepherd, Jesus speaks of the tremendous trust he has in God his Father and the tremendous trust we ought to have in him.  The security Jesus offers is an abiding relationship with the living God, and membership with his flock.  Jesus also promises the security of peace and protection from evil and eternal destruction. Here the Lord does not spare us from all trouble.  In this life we will experience pain, suffering, sickness, and death.  But through all these the Lord will lead us to ultimate victory and safety in his everlasting home.       

          Even in the midst of our sufferings we can find peace and security which no one can give except God alone.   We can confidently follow the Lord wherever he leads us, trusting that nothing can keep us from God. If we are his sheep, it is because he has called us. We are reminded once again that if we want to share in the joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we must be able to always listen to the voice of God. How can we listen to God’s voice? Have you placed your life securely in God? Jesus tells us today that my sheep hear my voice. How do we hear the voice of God? And how does it affect our life? The Shepherd calls you.  Listen to his voice.  Trust him to keep you safe.