My Sheep hear My Voice (Jn 10:25-30)
As I ponder the above passage the last few days, my farm background
recognizes that Christ does not distinguish the age or other attributes of His
sheep that hear His voice.
On the farm, we brought the cattle home from the pasture after corn
harvest in the fall, they roamed and fed on the corn stalks throughout the
winter. Cattle referred to the entire bovine herd, cows, calves and
bulls. About this same time, we weaned the calves from their momma cows. Calves
specified those young cattle born the previous spring.
All good ranchers, shepherds, cowboys and farmers similarly quickly
clarify any differences that he (or she) communicates about their herd when
applicable. Christ the ultimate shepherd (Jn 10:11), refers to the entire herd
of sheep in this passage. He avoids any distinction of age or maturity of His
sheep—such as lambs, ewes or rams—that hear His voice.
Conversely, God establishes precedent for specifying livestock age
(ex. “young bull”) when necessary for the meaning of His message (Ex 24:5;
29:1).
In an effort to avoid false assumptions, thus striving to Teach
Truth, I phoned my sister, Dee, and brother in-law this morning. Her husband, Brian, of 18
years has raised sheep for the last approximate 35 years, with the on-farm herd
number varying from a few hundred to at or in excess of one-thousand sheep.
They have experience with sheep!
Because of Brian and Dee’s longevity with sheep, working with
thousands upon thousands—including different breeds. Additionally, they have
raised sheep born on their farm, other farms in Nebraska, North and South
Dakota as well as from Wyoming and I believe Montana.
Consequently, I give great value to their vast experience and
observations characteristics of diverse sheep ranging from newborn lambs to
older ewes and rams over several decades.
After exchanging pleasantries and proudly learning of my nephew and
his best friend winning spelling awards at school, I inquired of the characteristics
of baby lambs. Brian had long left the house to care for the sheep and the crops.
Rick: “Do baby lambs
recognize your voice?”
Dee: “Most of the time,
sometimes it takes a while.”
“They
(virtually all) really respond to Brian (their shepherd), they know
him and his voice.”
The baby lambs quickly recognize and respond to their shepherd Brian’s
voice, he feeds, waters, and cares for them every day. Just as Christ is our
shepherd who feeds, waters and cares for us every day.
In other words, their observations are based upon great numbers and
great diversity of sheep as opposed to one time, or one year, with one small
symmetric herd.
Considering Jesus’ complete knowledge of the attributes of sheep
and men, it logically seems that His statement (Jn 10:27) includes infant
humans that are His sheep. Just as some baby lambs take a while to recognize
their shepherd, so do some people take time to recognize and respond to Christ.
Those not in Brian’s herds fail to respond, just as some people fail to respond
to Christ.
On the farm and ranch, the owner claims, feeds, and tends to all
livestock that he owns. Just as an infant human baby knows the voice of their
mom and dad, so Christ’s baby lambs know His voice.
Respond to the voice of Christ the Shepherd, belief in Him is the only
way to salvation and eternal life (Jn 14:6-7).
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
