Christ Knows the Way

Christ Knows the Way

John 10.1-10

1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Many people feel lost these days. In spite of all the technology in our lives, sometimes we feel like we just can't navigate our way. We can travel around the world, know every path to every place on Earth, but still we feel lost. Sadly, even Christians can sometimes experience this sadness. Thankfully, we are told by Jesus that He knows the way. He says that He “is the shepherd of his sheep.” He “leads [His sheep] out” of the pen and into the place He knows best. Beloved, wouldn't our lives be so much more peaceful if we merely realized that Jesus is leading us where He knows best?

What do we need to do to follow His voice? He says that “His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” If we want Christ to direct us, we need to learn His voice. You learn someone's voice by speaking to them. How do you speak to God? He communicates with us through His word. He communicates through prayer by the movement of the Holy Spirit. He works through others in our lives. His voice is the Holy Spirit. The more we begin to allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, the more we will learn His voice. When we know He is speaking, we will be quick and precise to act. What happens then? When we take action, we move. And we do not merely move randomly, but in the direction God has planned for us. Like sheep, we are led to “find pasture.” We receive “life,” and we “have it to the full.” A man at my church says that some versions of Scripture substitute the word “full” for “abundant,” implying that God's life is overflowing in us, not simply full.

That is an incredibly wonderful and powerful thing. When God leads us and overflows in our lives, we are destined to accomplish His will and remain in His love. We are lead in His will. His plans become our plans. Suddenly we do not feel so lost anymore. We believe our lives have purpose, and that Christ is directing that purpose through every seemingly random act and every seemingly planned act. As you go through your day, remember Christ is leading you. Where and how may not always be known to us as the sheep, but rest assured in full comfort that the Shepard knows the way. He will lead us to “find pasture.” He will lead us home. Amen.

With love in Christ,


Austin Aldrich