Day 19: The sheep know his voice
Erica Avila
Jesus has given sight to a man who was born blind. The Pharisees, who had always been able to physically see, had spiritual blindness. But the blind man, who just received his sight, believed right after Jesus told him he was the Son of Man.
Many things in this world provide temporary comfort but blind us from the Truth and lead us astray. As someone who was blinded by worldly "truths", I can now testify that I see His goodness firsthand. I had to hit "rock bottom" twice to finally have my eyes opened and know that I am complete in Him. When I look back on those experiences, I see Jesus was there all along; I just had to choose Him over things that would ultimately destroy me and my family. I see now how He didn't give up on me, even when I was giving up on Him.
In John 9:40, the Pharisees ask Jesus if He is saying they are blind, too. His response reminds me of how the first time I hit rock bottom led me to give my life to Jesus, but the second time, although I knew Him and what He could do, I chose to look another way. That was spiritual suicide: choosing death over life when I knew He was the Truth. It is a dangerous position to be in. If you find yourself there, ask God to open your eyes–pray, read His Word, confide in believers, seek a mentor–just don't allow the thief (Satan, sin) to steal and kill and destroy.
In John 10, Jesus explains that He is the good shepherd that lays down his life for His flock, which would soon happen on the cross. His flock follow Him and only Him because they know His voice. I know my Father's voice. I will never follow someone or something else. As He says in 10:5, "...they will never follow a stranger." Next, Jesus says that He is the gate that leads to pasture: lush, green grass that sheep feed on. It's not dry and dead; it's living. Jesus gives us life to the fullest while the wolf attacks the flock and the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
I have a question about John 10:12. Who is the hired hand? I think the hired hand is the world or man, so Jesus is illustrating the point that He is the only one who will truly protect us, we can't rely solely on the world or man.