Jesus says that his sheep are those who follow him. As we read in the letter to the Romans the Jews were chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed his glory to them, made covenants, and gave his law. He gave them the privilege of receiving his promises. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite. Nevertheless, we can see that they weren’t believers of the Lord. The Jews were eagerly waiting for the Messiah but could not identify him when he was with them, but rather judged him and his act of healing. Yet the poor person, because of his sickness was able to see the Lord, and receive healing. Jesus is reminding us that, it is not qualifications, tittles, ancestral value or what this world can offer that makes us worthy to receive the Lord. It is our ability to identify his voice in our inability, the ability to hear his voice in the midst of our brokenness that makes us his sheep. This is the qualification that makes us sheep of the Good Shepherd enabling us to follow him all the days of our lives.

Abba Father, may I be able to recognize the voice of the Good Shepherd – Amen.