It's Time to Come Home!

When I was growing up me and the other kids on the block usually played after school all the way up to dinner time.  We played "kick the can" and "hide and go seek" two of the classics.  But when it was time to come home for dinner my dad would call out my name at the top of his lungs.  I knew in an instant it was my dad and usually ran all the way home.  

Today Jesus teaches us about what a good shepherd looks like and their relationship to the sheep they have called by name.  

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
In understanding this story it helps us to know historical context in terms of the relationship shepherds had with their sheep in Jesus' day.
"In towns of that time, sheep from many flocks were kept for the night in a common sheepfold, overseen by one doorkeeper who regulated which shepherds brought and took which sheep.The shepherd calls the sheep by name, showing that the shepherd has a personal connection with the sheep. The shepherd leads them, providing direction and leadership – without driving the sheep." (Guzik)
We learn three things about Jesus our Good Shepherd today.
1. The good shepherd (Jesus) calls his sheep (Us) by name. Before you could choose Jesus he chose you.  He knows you personally. He loves you so much he would leave the 99 sheep in the fold to find you. 
2. The sheep learn to recognize the good shepherd's voice. Because of Jesus' unconditional love for you, you can trust his voice to lead and guide you.  You will recognize the false voices that promise things they can never deliver.  The closer you stay to Jesus the more his voice will become clearer and you will hear it above the chatter and noise in your life
3. The good shepherd lead the sheep to experience abundant life. Jesus wants the best for you.  Though our lives will never be easy, they will be satisfying.  Even in our trials Jesus can turns our pain and sadness into joy.  The world promises so many things but leaves so many empty and void of any real meaning in their lives. But Jesus promises you abundant life in this world, and eternal life in the world to come. 
Today if you hear his voice follow your good shepherd Jesus. It's time to come home.  

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