Devo: John 10:1-5,14-18

1”I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but
climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the
gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and
the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep
follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger;
in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s
voice.”
14”I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as
the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They
too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17The
reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.
18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority
to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from
my Father.”

Meditation
1. Read these words of Jesus aloud slowly as if he were explaining this to me
personally. Notice that the repeated word “know”. Jesus knows his sheep;
they know Jesus. The Father knows Jesus; Jesus knows the Father.
2. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, does the following for the sheep. Which of these
do I most need for Jesus to do for me today?
 call his own sheep by name
 lead them out
 know his own sheep
 put the sheep before himself, sacrificing himself, if necessary
 gather and bring other sheep
3. The sheep recognize Jesus’ voice and respond by following him and knowing
him. How do I need to respond to Jesus today?
4. Pray: Talk to Jesus about what I need. Especially talk about my capacity to
recognize his voice. Ask for his help.

Personal Note:
My leadership as a pastor depends solely on my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  I would like my friends to pray for my desire to draw close to Jesus and recognize his voice.