I came that they may have life and have it
abundantly.
In John 10, we read the story of the good
shepherd. The point is so fundamental that
Jesus repeats himself (see v. 7). Jesus
confirms that he is the good shepherd, and
that he has come to bring full life. Anyone
who listens to the voice of Jesus—that is, to
the one whom the Father has declared as his
Son, and the one whom the Father has sent
for the salvation of the world—is a follower.
Amidst the din of myriad contrary and
malevolent voices, Jesus calls out to those
who are his, and to those who would be his.
The voice of Jesus is the only voice worth
listening to, regardless how enticing or
accurate the voices of the world may seem to
be.
The idea of listening to the voice of God
did not originate in this John 10 passage. In
fact, from almost the very beginning, God has
called upon people to heed his voice.
Abraham was blessed because he listened to
the voice of God. Moses was favored
because he continued in obedience to the
voice of God. Joshua was commended and
led by God because he submitted to God’s
voice. The list is long of people who heard
and heeded the voice of God. In addition, the
list is long of people in scripture who did not
respond to the voice of God, with ultimately
tragic results. Amidst the din of myriad
contrary and malevolent voices, Jesus calls
out to those who are his, and to those who
would be his.
This compels a response—a response that
makes all the difference in this world and in
the next.
It is vital that we carefully contemplate
the voices to which we listen, and the
voices which we heed. God consistently
calls out to us, because he loves us
perfectly and wants for us the very best.
–Ricky