A man was accused of having stolen a sheep. He was arrested, taken before the judge, and brought face to face with his accuser, who declared himself the rightful owner of the animal.
The judge, knowing that in his country it is the custom for shepherds always to walk before their flock and to call them to follow, had the sheep brought into the court room. Then, sending the prisoner into the adjoining room, he ordered the other man to call his sheep. But the sheep, which did not know his voice, paid no attention to him.
In the meantime, the prisoner was becoming restless, and, chafing under the delay, began to whistle softly, giving the call to which, the flock was accustomed. This startled the sheep, which immediately ran toward the door to answer the well-known voice. The judge had no difficulty in deciding who was the real owner of the sheep.
In John 10:44And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. (John 10:4) and 5 we read of the Good Shepherd whom His sheep follow, for they know His voice, but will flee from a stranger, because they know not the voice of strangers. Verse 11 of the same chapter reads,
“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.”
You all know, dear children, who the Good Shepherd is,—Jesus Christ the Saviour of all who trust in Him. Is not the weakest lamb safe in the care of such a shepherd?
Do you know His voice, and does He know you as His lamb? If not, will you not come to. Him and be safe from “the thief (who) cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy?”
ML 10/12/1941