I have been considering the difference between how people react to being forced to do something and being led. Or more precisely what is expected of them.
John 10:4
When we consider Jesus’ use of pastoral and agricultural metaphors it can sometimes be confusing because modern farming practices are quite different. For example Jesus said that those who put their hand to the plough, and then look back, are not worthy of Him. But today when I see farmers ploughing the fields they are looking back all the time!
In Jesus’ day the oxen went first, then the plough and lastly the man who held the plough upright and pushed it into the ground. If a man doing that kept looking back the plough would soon wander off course.
Similarly a modern shepherd will use dogs to Drive the sheep where they should go. In Jesus’ time, the shepherd would go first, calling to the sheep. Calling the names he himself had given them. Everyday he would handle the sheep, talking to them all the time. Calling them by name, names he had given them at birth.
So the sheep would follow his familiar voice, hearing their names and with experience know that he was leading them to good pastures even though at times they would pass through unpleasant and even dangerous places.
Incidentally the shepherds who went to see the baby Jesus were not just ordinary shepherds. They were the ones who looked after the temple flock. The only flock which was out all year round! They also were responsible for choosing the unblemished/perfect lamb/ram for the temple sacrifice. Who better to witness God’s choice of the perfect sacrifice.
So as Jesus is the good shepherd, His sheep hear and know His voice. His sheep are called first of all to do three things.
Hear
listen
Follow
Jesus does not drive through fear but leads by demonstrating His love, care and protection.
But we are called to be more than sheep. Because we have been given free will and have the responsibility to exercise it. So we need to do more than just follow.
We are to:-
see
understand
decide
act
We learn to know our master by listening to what He says, not just to His voice. We can also know Him through His word. The whole Bible is about Jesus. The first letter of the bible in Hebrew is Beth, pronounced “be”, the last word in the New Testament is Amen. The last letter being Nun. Beth and Nun make the Hebrew word Ben, which is son. By reading the Bible we can know the Lord better.
Through reading the Bible intelligently and studying it we can begin to understand what God is asking of each of us.
Then, when we have reached a level of understanding, we then have to decide whether or not to follow Him.
Finally we have to act on that decision and on where He shows us He wishes us to go and what He wishes us to do.
So the 7 stages again are:-
Hear, listen, follow, see, understand, decide and act.
Hear His voice and move towards it.
Listen to what Jesus is saying to you and to the world
Follow that voice wherever it leads you.
See the person who is speaking to you and leading you. By studying the Bible we can learn both to hear and see Him. Though we may not see Him with our physical eyes we can see him with our hearts and the inner eye, because we have come to know Him for who He is.
Understand both what He is saying to us and what it is He is saying.
Decide to obey, as His flock we have the choice to obey or not. He does not force nor does he deceive us.
Act, once we have decided to obey we must put that decision into action; spiritually, physically, materially and emotionally.
Four legged sheep would do this everyday, each day of their lives. We must choose to do the same. Just because we followed Him yesterday does not mean we have done all we need to do. Each day we need to go through the seven steps again. Having been a believer and follower of Christ for many years is no reason to rest on your laurels. Each new day brings new problems and temptations and a need to eagerly follow Christ.
Soon a New Year will begin. The return of Christ is imminent, the victory goes to those who persevere.
Eccl.9:11 and follow Jesus till the end as we read in Heb. 12:1