The coach yells, “Listen up!” The teacher says, “Give me your attention.” The parent warns, “I’m not going to tell you again!” Jesus invites, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
The great desire of Jesus the Son of God is for all to have faith. And “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” And Jesus is the Word. He offers Himself but not all receive Him. He speaks but not all listen.
If we could go back in time and choose our status in society, we would not want to be rich or a teacher of the law or a religious leader… these had no advantage. Jesus made it clear that wealth, prestige, and intelligence tended to make it more difficult to ‘hear.’ Wouldn’t we want to be children? Or at least wouldn’t we want to be like children? Has anything changed?
“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.” Luke 10:21
Sheep are not the smartest or strongest or most resourceful animal on the earth, yet this is what we are called. We are His, ’the sheep of His pasture.’ We recognize our Good Shepherd’s voice and His words bring us life and guidance. He has told each of us, “I love you with an everlasting love.” And He encourages us, “Now go love others.” May we listen to His voice.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and they know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep who are not of this pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd… My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.” John 10:14-16, 27