John 10:1-10 (NRSV)
Read John 10:1-10 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 10"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. Verse 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. Verse 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Verse 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. Verse 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." Verse 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. Verse 7So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. Verse 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. Verse 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. Verse 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
Devotion
It was kind of funny to me that two of my social work professors at Luther College both had sheep. I was able to go to both of their homes and see their small herds of sheep. What was amazing was how they each had their own sheep calls and could easily call the sheep in and lead them where they needed them to go. I remember trying to mimic their calls and watching as the sheep ignored me.
Our gospel reading says, "When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice." What does it look like in your devotional life to listen to the voice of the shepherd? Where are you following this shepherd? Where are you being led in your life of faith—for the sake of the kingdom here and among us?
Prayer
Faithful God, open our ears that we may hear the voice of the great shepherd and follow as we are led into greater faith and greater opportunities to proclaim the name of Jesus. Amen.