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The Voice of the Good Shepherd

The metaphor of a shepherd with his sheep which the Lord Jesus used to describe the relationship between Himself and His own, is well-known to us. When we bear this in mind, we are constantly made aware of the greatness of the Lord’s love with which He cares for us.

In the imagery used in the Bible, sheep are symbols of gentleness, patience and willingness. How specially regarded a sheep was, can be seen from the fact that Isaiah in his prophecy of the suffering of the ‘Messiah, used the image of the sheep (Isaiah 53:7). “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”

Through His servants the Lord Jesus calls us by our name. He knows our name because He had already chosen us before the foundation of this world, and because He accompanies each and every individual on their way of life, if we on occasion fall, by sinning, He helps us up; and should we go astray by, for instance, allowing our thoughts to lead us away from the goal, He seeks us out and leads us back. When we hunger, He leads us in green pastures, and when we thirst, He brings us to still waters (Psalm 23:1-2) both images of the divine services which serve to our strengthening. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

Sheep have natural enemies against which they are defenceless on their own. The enemy of Christs’ sheep is the Devil. As far as he and what he offers is concerned, we heed the advice: “Be sobber, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8).

One particular ‘weapon’ that Satan uses today more than ever before is the voice of godlessness and confusion. Ever changing ideas, yet more jarring perspectives and still shriller statements of opinion are brought into the ‘battlefield’ and cause endless confusion. We ignore Satan by listening attentively to the familiar voice of the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ who modestly, yet clearly proclaims the true gospel, and preserves the promise of His return. If we remain with the Shepherds that the Lord has given His flock, then “when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:4).