The Voice of the Shepherd-Traditions

The Voice of the Shepherd

John 10:1-10
10:1 Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit.

10:2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

10:3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.

10:5 They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers."

10:6 Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

10:7 So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.

10:8 All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them.

10:9 I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.

10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."


Our lives are filled with a variety of voices. Some whispering, some screaming, some advising, some confusing, some encouraging, some critiquing. It’s hard to know which ones to listen to, and which ones to drown out. At times, it can honestly be quite overwhelming.

In our heart of hearts, we want God’s voice to be the loudest and the most enticing to follow. Unfortunately, we know that isn’t typically the case. Throughout scripture, we learn that God doesn’t often speak in the bang of the thunder or the ferocity of the fire, but as the still small voice we hear in the still small quiet of our soul. If we want to be sheep who know the Voice of our Shepherd, how do we learn to recognize His voice amidst all the others, especially when they are so loud and persistent?

Join us on Facebook LIVE this Sunday, May 3, at 9:00am for Celebration Worship and/or at 11:00am for Traditional Worship as we seek to answer this question.

We will also celebrate Holy Communion. As we will be worshipping together through technology, but separately in our homes, you are invited to prepare your own elements for you & your family to share.

God’s Blessings to you all,
Rev. Carrie Jones
Associate Pastor of Children & Families