Firsthand

Today’s reading: John 10:1-21

“...they follow him because they recognize his voice.” - John 10:4

Can someone be a Christian without reading their Bible? What about prayer?

This passage should answer those two questions for us. It is imperative that we know the voice of our Shepherd. This can only happen with a daily listening to His voice. It is too easy today to become lazy and depend on others to tell us what Jesus’ voice sounds like. Yet there is no replacement for a firsthand hearing of His voice. Second or thirdhand is fine for affirmation and encouragement, but they aren’t sufficient for the one who really wants to know the voice of their Shepherd.

John 10:10 gives us urgency with this idea of knowing Jesus’ voice. We want to be able to differentiate His voice from our enemy’s voice. The Devil wants to destroy us, and he will do whatever it takes to deceive us.

The most motivating in all this is that Jesus knows OUR name as well (10:3). He lovingly calls to a daily walk with Him, a listening to His voice.