John 10:3-5 Fan or Follower

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 

Observation:

I usually think of the passage of Jesus proclaiming Himself the Good Shepherd as a comforting one.  I harken back to psalm 23, where the Shepherd's rod and staff comfort the sheep. Or how about the protection that anointing sheep provided? The origin of anointing was from a practice of shepherds. Lice and other insects would often get into the wool of sheep, and when they got near the sheep's head, they could burrow into the sheep's ears and kill the sheep. So, ancient shepherds poured oil on the sheep's head. This made the wool slippery, making it impossible for insects to get near the sheep's ears because the insects would slide off. Yes, thinking of the Shepherd and His flock has always brought me comfort.

But I think Jesus is actually challenging you and I in this scripture. He is saying that we should know His voice and follow Him. During Jesus's three years of ministry on Earth He had many people show up applaud or boo, receive healing, food, etc. then leave to their homes the next day, never choosing to follow Him. In fact there is a point when Jesus has many disciples, but most leave Him because His teaching is too tough. Jesus is challenging us to be more than fans, but followers, His own that know His voice and follow Him into abundant life.

Observation

How can I follow Him if I don't even know His voice? There is a constant pressing in, a seeking that has to happen in my own life. If not, then I can be tossed about by any teaching. This is important to me for two reasons. One, I have listened and observed false teaching. Although I don't believe the motive of the teacher was malicious, it still burdened me with the yolk of religion and I had to walk the road of recovery. The second reason is, that I made a choice several years ago to be more than a fan. I want an extreme relationship with Christ. I confess that choice has brought discomfort at times. I'm sure the disciples felt that way as Jesus challenged the religious leaders. But Christ will accept nothing less and because I love Him, I don't want to bring Him anything less. 

Prayer

Father, I live in a world where being just a fan of You is enough. But I know You want all of me, and Lord I want to give You all of me. Please continue to be my Good Shepherd and lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name sake.