Connected and Listening

Read

John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.”

Think

This week we walked through one of Jesus’ most beautiful word pictures. He is the vine, we are the branches, and God is the gardener. We learned that staying connected to Jesus is where fruit grows, and where our joy gets filled all the way up. Today our memory verse ties it together in a fresh way.

Think about how the sheep picture and the vine picture fit together. In both, the main idea is the same. Stay close to Jesus. The sheep stay close by listening to the shepherd’s voice. The branches stay close by remaining on the vine. Different pictures, same heart.

Our verse says the sheep listen to his voice. This week we saw that staying connected means letting his words remain in us. Listening and remaining go hand in hand. You cannot really stay on the vine without also listening to the voice of the One you are connected to.

The verse says he knows them. Remember the vine? Jesus knows every branch by heart. He knows exactly what each one needs to grow, when to water, when to trim. He knows you that well too. You are fully known by the One you are connected to.

And they follow me. A branch that stays on the vine ends up growing wherever the vine grows. Sheep that listen end up going where the shepherd goes. Following is just what happens when you truly stay connected. It flows naturally.

So as you say this verse today, picture both. You are a sheep who knows the shepherd’s voice, and a branch connected to the vine. Either way, the invitation is the same. Stay close to Jesus. Listen. And follow him with joy.

Isn’t it kind of God to give us so many pictures of the same beautiful truth? Sheep and shepherds. Vines and branches. He knows we are kids, and he paints pictures we can see and hold onto. Every one of them is saying the same wonderful thing: you belong to him, and the best place to be is close.

Apply

Put it together – Say this month’s memory verse out loud again today. Then picture yourself as a branch on Jesus’ vine. Tell him, “I want to stay connected and follow you.”

Pray

Jesus, you are my shepherd and my vine. Help me listen to your voice, stay connected to you, and follow you with joy. Thank you that you know me and love me completely. In Jesus’ name. Amen.