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The relation of the risen Christ to His flock
JOHN 10:27-28
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I will give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will tear them out of My hand.
Jesus said those who followed Him from all nations were His sheep. They belong to Him; they are His property. Here, a title is exists - an insoluble right. On the part of the disciples, it is a relationship of trust, a sense of solidarity, a deep and emotional linking of hearts. The Lord plans and cares for them. He has more than just a commercial interest for them to do well. It is a matter of His honor that His flock is in good shape, sufficiently supplied and well kept. As the Shepherd, so the herd!
The first spiritual characteristic of the followers of Christ is that they listen to His voice. His Word attracts them; it is active and creative within them. The word of the good Shepherd consoles, encourages, disciplines, awards, animates and provides security. The word of the good Shepherd is more important than any visual conception of Him. Even though He cannot be seen, His voice penetrates and acts in the heart. Where the voice of the Lord is heeded, loved, accepted and understood, connection to His flock is established. Hearing His voice is a reference to the election of the chosen ones and the beginning of their rescue and renewal. Wherever the voice of the Lord is not heard, wherever it does not arouse attention, but is rejected and drowned by other voices, the hardening of the heart begins, and spiritual death is near. By listening to, responding to and understanding the voice of the good Shepherd, the calling of the Saints is realized. The voice of the Son of God is a direct revelation, an inspiration. Not only the Prophets heard God's voice, but each sheep in the flock of Christ today is able to hear the voice of the good Shepherd. Along with other sheep, they are able to distinguish the voice of the true Shepherd from the voice of deceivers.
The good Shepherd knows His sheep by name. They are not a formless bulk, not an object of profit, but for Him they are selected individuals with blessed gifting and limitations. The Shepherd knows what food and nutrition each of His sheep needs. He will grant them time to digest and ruminate. He gives them peace. He knows when the time has come for the lambs to be born or when the wool is to be sheared. He determines when the sheep are to be herded together if a storm pulls up or wolves are getting close. The Lord knows each individual sheep as well as the general situation of His flock. He knows the weak, wounded and newborn. He knows their natural sense of unity and that they can hardly exist without each other. He knows His sheep better than they know themselves.
The Lord leads His flock in the evening and in the morning, on the streets, amidst the traffic, between the houses or through impassable fields. He is looking for the best way to lead them. He will not send His sheep ahead of Him in the hour of danger, but walks before them. He kills the snake with His stick or commands His dog to keep the herd together.
The sheep know whom they trust. They follow the good Shepherd without a doubt. Their relationship of trust with Him is the basis of their existence. They will not only listen to His voice; they will also follow Him. Faithful obedience is no matter for discussion for followers of Christ. The Shepherd is surrounded by the haze, dust and the smell of His sheep. Their bleating and lowing is music to His ears. He knows how to interpret it.
Mohammed assures the followers of Jesus in Allah's name: "I shall exalt those who follow you higher than the non-believers until the day of resurrection" (Sura Al Imran 3:55). Mohammed had recognized that some Christians were changed by following Jesus, and that compassion and mercy had been laid in their hearts. In the imitation of Christ the sheep change. Meager, terrified, sick and neglected animals turn into well-fed, satisfied and healthy sheep. In the vicinity of Christ, there is no destruction, no hatred, no contention, neither destruction nor fear nor eternal death in the long run. The peace of the good Shepherd has shaped His flock.
When a thief or a false Shepherd calls, the sheep will not follow him. They are able to distinguish the wrong voice from the right voice of the good Shepherd. They do not fall prey to counterfeit promises. Their confidence and their obedience relates solely to their shepherd. False prophets, antichrists, charismatic personalities, tricksters and founders of new religions will not leave any lasting impression on the followers of Christ. They know the better Shepherd, who is meek and humble of heart, does not live for Himself and is not seeking His own. False Shepherds will sacrifice the sheep for their own well-being. The good Shepherd is not like that, but sacrifices Himself for the welfare of His sheep.
A shepherd once wanted to conduct a test concerning these matters. He had his own shepherd garments put on a stranger, so that he might look and smell like him. He taught him to pronounce correctly the various calls and gave his Shepherd's staff into his hand. But the sheep were not fooled. They continued grazing by themselves. They did not rush towards the guest. They did not follow the stranger. They were tuned in alone to the voice of their Shepherd and would only follow him.
If even sheep are able to discern the wrong from the right shepherd by the tone of the voice, how much more should the followers of Jesus reject any false slogan or parole and turn away from the lies and seductions of our time. One of the secrets of the flock of Christ is that they know, listen to and keep His word, letting it be creative, forgiving, comforting and a guide to them. Jesus does not say in vain: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me."