Known by the Shepherd

"To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." – John 10:3
 
It’s one thing to know about God. It’s another thing to be known by Him. That’s what Jesus is getting at when He calls Himself the Good Shepherd. This isn’t a distant, formal relationship. He knows His sheep. Not as a group. Not as a general category. He knows them personally. By name.
 
This picture of a shepherd calling his sheep isn’t random. In ancient times, shepherds would spend every day with their flocks. They didn’t just herd nameless animals. They knew them individually. Each sheep had its own tendencies, its own personality, and even its own name. And those sheep knew the shepherd’s voice. It was familiar. Trusted. Safe.
 
That’s how Jesus sees you. You’re not just part of the crowd. You’re not another number in a church service or a name on a prayer list. He knows exactly who you are. He knows your story. Your strengths. Your struggles. He doesn’t call you out of obligation. He calls you out of love.
 
Following Jesus isn’t about performing for Him or proving yourself. It’s about learning to recognize His voice. And that voice won’t sound like pressure or shame. It’ll sound like peace. Like grace. Like truth. The more time you spend with Him, the easier it becomes to recognize when He’s speaking.
 
If you’ve ever felt lost in the noise or unsure of where you stand, take this in. The Shepherd knows your name. And He’s calling you, not just to believe in Him, but to walk with Him. Not just to be saved, but to be known. Listen for His voice today. It’s personal. It’s present. And it’s calling you forward.