Lenten Reader | Day 27

March 15th, 2024

Listen to My Voice

Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

John 10:22-30

In this day and age everyone and everything is competing for our attention. The world calls out to us. Look at this! Buy this! You need this! What of these things is actually life changing? Can any of the things of this world offer you hope and everlasting life? Answer: no, they cannot, but Jesus can. When we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, our relationship with Him is quite the life changing journey to eternal life. Having a real, authentic relationship with Jesus has helped me fight against the noise of this world and focus on Jesus’ voice. 
 
We read in John chapter 10:27-28, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” 
 
The Bible is our handbook for life. When we read the stories of Jesus, we are able to know precisely what God the Father would be doing on earth. Jesus displayed how we should react and behave. When we study God’s word, we learn about His character and begin to build a relationship with Him. We learn that Jesus the Son is our shepherd, and we are his sheep. Fun facts about sheep: they have no sense of direction, they wander. Sheep are defenseless (without their shepherd or flock). They have an instinct to know their shepherd's voice and have the ability to build relationships with other sheep. Sheep have value. JESUS is our GOOD SHEPHERD... He is THE provider, guide, protector, and constant companion. 
 
To be in relationship with Jesus is to be his sheep and we should live a life similar to what He modeled for us. We have no direction without Him, we lack protection on every side, and we cannot make it alone without Him. 
 
Every day we need to focus on our shepherd’s voice, not the loudness of this world. Let us continue to be in an active relationship with Christ. I can’t think of a better gift that leads us to eternal life. 
 
Alinda Pritchard 