Question
In the Bible Jesus says that His sheep will hear His voice. I was born again 3 years ago and yet I have never heard Jesus’ voice? Can you explain this passage, do other Christians hear His voice? I know others talk about an inward still small voice, but that is not what this passage is talking about, it’s talking about hearing the voice of Jesus.
Answer
This is a very important question, and I hope I can show what the scriptures teach about this. The passage you referred to is in John 10. Before we look at the passage and its context please read the following.
Heb 1:1 God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets by divers portions and in divers manners, 2 hath at the end of these days spoken unto us in (his) Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom also he made the worlds;
This passage clearly teaches that these are the last days and now God speaks through his Son. But Jesus Christ lived, taught the gospel, was crucified, rose from the dead, then ascended back to heaven. Right before his ascension he said:
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came to them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth.19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
In Mark it is recorded as follows
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation
Jesus Christ has all authority (v18). He directed the apostles to preach the gospel to the whole world, baptizing those who obey, and teach those to observe all the things He had commanded. So, Jesus does speak to us through the gospel recorded by those he directed to preach the gospel – the apostles. When you read the New Testament, you are reading the voice of the shepherd. When you are lead by that voice, you are his sheep. Now read John 10:
Joh 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Listen to what Jesus said in explaining this parable:
Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me, 15 even as the Father knoweth me, and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice: and they shall become one flock, one shepherd.
When you read the parable and Jesus’ explanation in light of the passages above, it is clear that we hear the voice of Jesus whenever we read his words. Now that puts obligation and responsibility on us to read, study and understand. For example, lets look at how Jesus tells us we can have forgiveness of sins.
First of all recognize that we all sin. Read Romans 3:23
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
The result of dying in this condition will be eternal damnation. Read 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
2Th 1:8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: 9 who shall suffer punishment, (even) eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
But the gospel offers salvation from this end. First we believe in Christ. Read what Jesus said in Mark 16:16.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
We must also repent of our past sins. Read Acts 2:38.
Act 2:38 And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We must also confess that Jesus is God’s son. Read Romans 10:9.
Rom 10:9 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus (as) Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved:
We must also submit to baptism in water. Please reread Acts 2:38, and Mark 16:16 above. In addition we must also live a faithful life until death. Please read Revelation 2:10 and Revelation 20:12.
Rev 2:10 Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is (the book) of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
I encourage you to listen to Jesus’ voice and his voice given through his apostles and recorded in the New Testament. Like Cornelius was told in Acts 11:14
Act 11:14 who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.
By Larry Snell
