Jesus: "I know my own sheep, and they know me!"

John 10:11-18

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man will run when he sees a wolf coming and will leave the sheep, for they aren’t his and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf leaps on them and scatters the flock. The hired man runs because he is hired and has no real concern for the sheep.

“I am the Good Shepherd and know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, in another fold. I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice; and there will be one flock with one Shepherd.

“The Father loves me because I lay down my life that I may have it back again. No one can kill me without my consent—I lay down my life voluntarily. For I have the right and power to lay it down when I want to and also the right and power to take it again. For the Father has given me this right.”

Food for thought!

Before we begin our reflection, I understand that some people have difficulties to understand today's Gospel because they have never seen any shepherd or even sheep; for these people l suggest that they replace sheep by pets; there are few homes that don't own these animals.

So if you don't understand shepherds and sheep, use your pet.

With or without pets, this gospel is full of goodnews. For instance, it says that, "I know my own sheep (my pet) and my own sheep (my pet) know me." Two truths are said inhere, I Jesus knows his sheep, and his sheep know him. What does this mean?

Well, it means that Jesus knows us; he understands us; we are not anonymous people; he knows all about you and me. The individual sheep in a flock all look alike to the untrained eye. A good shepherd, however, can distinguish them, often because of their defects and peculiar traits. 

A man who was tending a large flock explained this to a Christian friend who expressed surprise at his familiarity with each animal. "See that sheep over there?" he asked. "Notice how it toes in a little. The one behind it has a squint; the next one has a patch of wool off its back; ahead is one with a distinguishing black mark, while the one closest to us has a small piece torn out of its ear."

Observing all of the sheep, the believer thought about Christ, the Chief Shepherd, who also knows the individual Christian. He said, I KNOW THEM. Jesus knows our individual weaknesses and failings; on the outside we may look alike, but inside of us we are all struggling, and Jesus knows about our struggles, our ups and downs, our falling, our rising. And because he knows us so well, he gives us eternal life. For many of us, the more we claim to know someone the more we despise them. Not so with Jesus; the more he knows us the more he loves us and the more he cares for us and watchers over us.

Yes, Jesus knows everything there is to know about you and me - Matt. 10:29-31; Matt. 6:8. He knows every strength and every weakness. He knows every joy and every burden. He knows every mountain and every valley. He knows every victory and every battle and He stands ready to help you in your times of need, Heb. 4:15-16. He is your Good Shepherd and He will look after you - Psa. 23:1-6.

A man in was arrested and charged with stealing a sheep. But he claimed emphatically that it was one of his own that had been missing for many days. When the case went to court, the judge was puzzled, not knowing how to decide the matter. At last he asked that the sheep be brought into the courtroom. Then he ordered the plaintiff to step outside and call the animal. The sheep made no response except to raise its head and look frightened. The judge then instructed the defendant to go to the courtyard and call the sheep. When the accused man began to make his distinctive call, the sheep run toward the man. It was obvious that the sheep recognized the familiar voice of his master. "His sheep knows him," said the judge. "Case dismissed!"

So it is with us. We are like that sheep, being called by all kinds of people and voices. Among these voices is the one of Christ. When He calls, are you able to distinguish his voice from others' voices? Does Christ still compete or struggle to attract your attention? Are you able to distinguish Christ's voice from the many others yearning for our attention? He knows you; do you know him?

When the shepherd calls forth his sheep, he goes before them and they instinctively follow him. He doesn't have to drive them, that is for goats. He just leads them out and they naturally follow close behind. This is what Jesus is doing: he is leading us to heaven. To him be glory and power and praise, for ever and ever. Amen