My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.
John 10:27-28 NET
Being identified as a sheep today is often considered an insult. It implies that you are mindlessly following the crowd without thinking for yourself. The implication is that you would somehow be better off charting your life’s course. Although that often amounts to simply jumping from one flock to another.
And that can make what Jesus says here a bit challenging for us. We don’t want to be known as sheep who blindly follow. But when Jesus calls us his sheep, it is not an insult. It actually has something significant to say about our relationship with him.
Jesus identifies himself as the good shepherd (John 10:11). There are many other shepherds and sheep other than those who belong to Jesus. But Jesus gives his sheep something that no other shepherd can provide—security and eternal life.
Jesus, as the good shepherd, knows his sheep and calls them to follow him (John 10:3-5). And his sheep hear his voice and follow wherever he leads them. The implication is that if we do not recognize and respond to Jesus’ voice when he calls, we are not his sheep.
But if we do hear and follow, he gives us eternal life. And he assures us that whatever may come, we will not perish. No one can snatch us from his hand. Jesus, as the good shepherd, will watch over and guard his flock.
Being a sheep, at least one of Jesus’ sheep, is a good place to be. I do not have to worry about anything. All I have to do is listen to his voice and follow where he leads.
