The Sheep Know His Voice

~~~ Acts of the Apostles 11:1-18 ~~~ Psalm 42 ~~~ John 10:1-10 ~~~

 

I am the Gate 

 Whoever enters through me will be saved...

 

The gatekeeper is also the Shepherd.

The sheep know the voice of the shepherd and they follow him.

They will not follow a stranger instead they run away

because they do not recognize his voice.

 

Others have come before making false claims

 but they are not the gatekeeper.

There is only one can lead the sheep through the gate to the other side.

 

Sometimes we are not as smart as the sheep.

We are misled into following one who is not the gatekeeper

or the shepherd sometimes only later to be disappointed.

 

We become disillusioned after following the false shepherd.

We lose our way and feel depressed and rejected.

For when we follow the true shepherd and gatekeeper

 

there is no need for these negative feelings. 

When we recognize a person's voice we know them well.
The shepherd has an intimate relationship with his sheep.
This is what we long for in the depths of our soul...
an intimate relationship with our shepherd and keeper of the gate.
The gatekeeper opens the gate to let us in;
we are safe inside with the shepherd.

There are dangers known and unknown outside of the gate.
The gatekeeper has full knowledge of these dangers.
Because the shepherd loves his sheep he wants them
to come inside where he can keep them safe.

 

Not just safe for a few hours, but safe for all eternity.
The shepherd leads to a life previously unknown to us...
a life where we will forever be near to him.

The Holy Spirit was with Peter as he traveled around the region.
Peter accepted his call to continue manifesting the goodness of Jesus.
We too are called to preserve all that has come
 before us as signs of the presence of God.

When shall I go and behold the face of God? 

 Listen to his voice and you will be blessed
with the sight of his face as well.