“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 (NIV)

The sheepfold of biblical times was a place where all of the village shepherds would house their sheep at night. All of the sheep would go into the fold together and would be watched over by a watchman, of sorts, so that the shepherds could go to their own homes to sleep. The next morning, each shepherd would go to the sheepfold and would begin calling out his sheep. The sheep who belonged to that particular shepherd would come forth, recognizing their own shepherd’s voice. Isn’t that beautiful?! In John, chapter 10, Jesus used this allegory to describe his relationship with us. We, as believers, know his voice, and in obedience, follow him.

“The watchman opens the gate for Him (the shepherd), and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” John 10:3-4 (NIV)

Aren’t you glad he calls us by name? Do you recognize the shepherd’s voice, and are you following him in obedience and love? Or have other voices drowned out the shepherd’s loving call on your life…?