From the Desk of Jeff King

The good Shepherd

The news around the world is getting so bleak and dark I can hardly look at a newspaper anymore. And I work for a newspaper. But as I hear of wars and rumors of wars, one gospel passage in particular gives me great comfort. Messiah Yeshua declares in John 10 that He is the good Shepherd. He is the only Shepherd, and that is good news for us. God does appoint teachers and pastors to feed the sheep and point them to the Shepherd. But all too often in Christianity, men and women abuse these positions of ministry to empower themselves and their self-made kingdoms. The hireling does not care about the sheep. Verse 12 says he flees when he sees the wolf coming, and the wolf catches and scatters the sheep.

But the good Shepherd loves His sheep and gives His life for them. He leads gently and promises them salvation, peace and abundant life. And in verse 27 He provides the map that keeps one on the straight and narrow path – "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." I love the simplicity of the gospel, and here Yeshua puts it in terms even a child can understand. We must have a committed, intimate relationship with Messiah to avoid the snare of the evil one. Only then can we learn to discern His voice from others, or even our own thoughts. Sometimes He speaks softly and we can miss it. Last spring my wife battled breast cancer and – after the initial crushing blow of the diagnosis – we sought the Lord with all our heart and waited for His instructions. He didn’t fail us. Yeshua spoke to us through His Word as well as His still, small voice. We obeyed and today Alisa is cancer-free.

I believe the key to hearing His voice is devoting oneself to daily Bible reading and prayer. Get alone with Him and listen. Go on a walk and speak privately with Him. Sometimes God chooses to be silent, but don’t be discouraged. On some days Psalm 46:10 is enough: "Be still, and know that I am God." As we spend quality time with Him, our ears are sharpened to the gentle voice of the Shepherd.

A friend visited Israel years ago and encountered a flock of grazing sheep. Standing on the opposite side of the fence, he tried with all his might to get the attention of the sheep, but they would not look up. When the shepherd called to the sheep from a distant hill, they responded immediately and came to him. They felt safe as long as they were within earshot of their master. Yeshua promises to protect His sheep in verses 29-30: "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one." When the newspaper headlines become too grim, I think of John 10. His voice is a soothing balm to my soul.