Knowing the Shepherd’s Voice 牧人的声音
Dexu Xia
His sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:4
When I was a boy living on a ranch in Tennessee, I spent glorious afternoons roaming with my best friend. We’d hike into the woods, ride ponies, visit the rodeo arena, and venture into the barn to watch the cowboys work the horses. But whenever I heard my dad’s whistle—that clear sound slicing through the wind and all the other clatter—I’d immediately drop whatever I was doing and head home. The signal was unmistakable, and I knew I was being called by my father. Decades later, I’d still recognize that whistle.
Jesus told His disciples that He was the Shepherd, and His followers were the sheep. “The sheep listen to [the shepherd’s] voice,” He said. “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out” (John 10:3). In a time when numerous leaders and teachers sought to confuse Christ’s disciples by asserting their authority, He declared that His loving voice could still be heard clearly, more distinctly than all the others. “His sheep follow [the shepherd], because they know his voice” (v. 4).
May we be careful as we listen for Jesus’ voice and avoid foolishly dismissing it, for the fundamental truth remains: The Shepherd speaks clearly, and His sheep hear His voice. Perhaps through a verse of Scripture, the words of a believing friend, or the nudge of the Spirit—Jesus speaks, and we do hear.
By: Winn Collier
How do you think you’ve complicated hearing God’s voice? What’s the Shepherd saying to you today?
Dear God, I need to be reminded that You’re speaking, and that I do hear You. Help me pay attention. Help me to listen and respond
羊也跟着祂，因为认得祂的声音。—约翰福音10章4节
小时候，我住在田纳西州的一座牧场，当时我和我最好的朋友一起度过许多美好的午后时光。我们会到森林远足、骑小马、参观牛仔竞技场，甚至偷偷溜进谷仓去看牛仔们如何驯马。但不论何时，我只要一听到爸爸的口哨声，听到那穿透一切风声、响声的清脆哨音，我就会立刻放下一切，转身回家。我从未认错那个信号，我知道爸爸在叫我。如今几十年过去了，我仍然记得那个哨音。
耶稣告诉门徒，祂是好牧人，而门徒就是羊群。祂说：“羊也听[牧人]的声音。祂按著名叫自己的羊，把羊领出来”（约翰福音10章3节）。在现今这个世代，许多领袖和教师企图强调自己的权柄来迷惑基督徒，但耶稣说，我们可以清楚听见祂慈爱的声音，而且祂的声音比其他的杂音更清晰响亮。“羊也跟着[牧人]，因为认得祂的声音”（4节）。
愿我们都能细心聆听耶稣的声音，不要愚蠢地否定它，因为那基本真理依然存在，那就是牧人会清楚地发声说话，而祂的羊会听见祂的声音。或许藉由圣经里的一节经文，一位基督徒朋友的言语，或是圣灵的感动，我们会听见耶稣正在对你我说话。
作者： 郭惟恩
什么会造成你听不清楚上帝的声音？
今天，耶稣这位好牧人要对你说些什么？
我们要留心听、仔细听，回应上帝对我们的呼召。
上帝，求祢提醒我，祢正在说话，而且我确实能听见。