June 19 | Bible in a Year: Nehemiah 12–13; Acts 4:23–37

Loving Being His

They will never follow a stranger; . . . because they do not recognise a stranger’s voice. John 10:5

READ John 10:1–11

When I found her, she was hungry, grubby and meowing desperately for attention. A litter tray, some food and a large vet’s bill later, Elma came with me to her new home.

At first, she would go to anyone and climb up on their lap. But now that she’s bonded with me, she refuses to leave my side. She loves being my cat—sleeping next to me and following me everywhere. She is much more confident, but much more wary of strangers.

When Jesus found us, we too were in a state of dire need. Sin and shame made us feel grubby and desperate for loving restoration. Likening us to sheep, and calling Himself the “Good Shepherd”, Jesus taught, “whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture” (John 10:9). He saves us, cleans us, provides for us and leads us.

When we hear other voices in the world inviting us to try a different way of life—to ‘move on’ from Jesus—may we react like my Elma. “[My sheep] will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognise a stranger’s voice” (v. 5).

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has rescued us. And we love being His sheep, like Elma loves being my cat. He delights to give us “life to the full” (v. 10).

By Debbi Fralick

What do you love most about belonging to Jesus? How would you describe the fullness of life He gives you?

Jesus, thank You for finding me, saving me, restoring me and making me Your own. I love being Yours.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

At the time of Jesus, shepherds kept their flocks in two kinds of sheepfolds. In the villages, flocks were kept in stone-walled, gated, communal sheep-pens, guarded by gatekeepers (John 10:1–5). Out in the fields, sheepfolds were often makeshift enclosures made of stones, tree trunks, and branches, with the shepherd sleeping across a narrow opening in front. Twice, Jesus says He’s “the gate” for the sheep (vv. 7, 9). A “gate” or “door” (ESV) symbolizes both protection and provision. The gate reminds us there’s an entrance and an exit: “Whoever enters through me will be saved” ( v. 9). The Good Shepherd protects His sheep in a safe, secure place: “They will come in and go out, and find pasture” (v. 9; see Psalm 23:4). The Good Shepherd leads His sheep out to “green pastures . . .  beside quiet waters” (Psalm 23:2).