John 10:25-32 “Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?”

Text Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

When David said, “The LORD is my shepherd”, it reveals a relationship and a responsibility. There is a shepherd-sheep relationship which reveals trust, love, and ownership. Because of that relationship, there is the shepherd’s responsibility to the sheep and the sheep’s responsibility to the shepherd! In Psalm 23 David declares God’s faithfulness in fulfilling the shepherd’s responsibility; “He maketh me” (vs.2), “he leadeth me” (vs.2), “He restoreth” (vs.3), “Thou preparest” (vs.5), “thou anointest” (vs.5). Mindful of God’s faithfulness, we need to ask ourselves, “Are we faithful in our responsibility to the Shepherd?” In John 10:27, we find two responsibilities; hearing and heeding! Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.” The attentive ear of the sheep not only listens for the voice of the shepherd, but discerns the shepherd’s voice from all others. As one of God’s sheep, we are to position ourselves so that we can give attention to the voice of the Shepherd. He speaks through the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit, and His servants. When we are faithful to study His Word, pray for His guidance, and faithfully attend church, we are positioned to hear His voice. Jesus said, “My sheep . . . follow me.” The word “follow” means to accompany or be in the same way with. Companionship with the shepherd is maintained by following his leadership and direction for our lives. The only way to enjoy “green pastures”, “still waters”, and “paths of righteousness” is to follow the shepherd! Are we faithful in our responsibility to our shepherd? The Lord is my Shepherd; “While the lips may proclaim it; only the life can prove it!”