May it be a Sweet, Sweet Sound in Mine Ear
(NIV) John 1:1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
I love, love, love John’s illustration of the Good Shepherd. I encourage you to read the entire passage, from 1-19.
Jesus tells the Pharisees there is one way, one gate, into the sheep’s shelter, and that way is Jesus. Oh, what a wonderful expression of love, to show us that, when we have a right relationship with Jesus, we will recognize His voice. And it is not just the sound of his voice, but the content of what He says.
When I was an Associate Pastor at Lakewood UMC, I was approached by one of the residents at Parkstone Place and asked if there was anything we could do to help those who were visually impaired in reading the Word. Out of that conversation a new initiative was born called “Faith Comes by Hearing.” We met weekly and I, along with four volunteers began reading the word aloud.
After I was appointed to the Cabot area, the members at Lakewood who had joined me in this venture continued to minister to the men and women at Parkstone Place until they completed reading the entire Holy Scriptures. How blessed I have been to work alongside so many devoted Christ followers.
May each person reading today’s Scripture and devotional be so attuned to the sound of our Savior’s voice and the content of His message that there will be no hesitation when He speaks.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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