THE VOICE OF THE SHEPHERD: APRIL 21, 2024

Holy Trinity Ankeny

In Jesus’ day, there would be times when multiple shepherds would bring their flocks together. Whether by accident or on purpose, they would gather them in a paddock, an area that was walled off to keep the predators out of the flock. The sheep would mingle together and do all the things sheep do. Now that presents a problem for the shepherd. How do you tell your sheep apart from the other shepherd’s sheep? When the shepherds would leave the paddock, they would call out to their flock. The sheep would hear their shepherd's voice and would follow. The shepherd's voice is key. The sheep know which shepherd is theirs and they follow. The sheep know… But sheep are still sheep. Sheep wander off… Sheep fall into ravines… The Shepherd still needs to go and find them when that happens. The shepherd’s voice is key. Jesus tells us today, “I know my own and my own know me. They know my voice.” Acts 4:5-12 | 1 John 3:16-24 | John 10:11-18