uly saw you or called you by name? The longing to be known runs deep in a world filled with shallow connections. For many, this ache is ever-present, especially in a world where identity can feel reduced to numbers or profiles. Jesus doesn’t just know us superficially; he knows our struggles, fears, and hopes. His voice calls us out of isolation
into belonging.

Jesus’ response in John’s Gospel reveals this deeply personal care. Confronted during the Feast of Dedication, he redirects the sceptics’ questions. Instead of debating theology or politics, he says: ‘My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.’ His leadership is not about status or power but about relationship. He calls us to listen, trust, and follow.

THE SHEPHERD AND THE CHALLENGE OF LEADERSHIP

Calling himself the Good Shepherd was no mere metaphor. It was a bold claim that challenged the failed leadership of his time. Shepherd imagery pointed to kingship in Jewish tradition. His words would have seemed provocative during Hanukkah, a festival celebrating liberation. Jesus was not offering comfort to the powerful. He was confronting their failures while offering hope to those longing for real leadership.

Unlike leaders who exploit or divide, Jesus’ leadership offers healing and unity. He steps into broken systems and broken lives with a care that is unshakable. For those who feel forgotten or betrayed, his voice offers hope beyond false promises.

The tension of misplaced trust still exists today. Politicians divide while promising unity. Social influencers sell shallow fixes. Even spiritual leaders sometimes falter. Yet, in the noise, Jesus’ voice remains clear. His leadership is different. It is not rooted in power or gain but in care and sacrifice. He leads us to life, calling us to trust and follow with discernment.

THE SHEPHERD WHO RESTORES LIFE

The Good Shepherd doesn’t just know his sheep; he restores them. In Acts, we see this vividly through Peter, who raises Tabitha from death. Her story reveals Jesus’ power to breathe life into what seems lost.

Tabitha was cherished for her acts of kindness. Widows wept as they showed Peter the garments she had made. Her legacy was one of love and service, reflecting Christ’s transformative power. Peter’s prayer and command, ‘Tabitha, stand up,’ mirror the restoration Jesus offers. Tabitha’s resurrection is a sign of the eternal life Jesus brings to all who trust him.

For many of us, life can feel weighed down by despair or loss. Like Peter, we are called to trust in the Shepherd’s ability to restore. Whether it is faith, hope, or purpose that feels lifeless, Jesus invites us to believe in his power to renew and transform.

THE SHEPHERD WHO LEADS TO ETERNAL JOY

Revelation paints a vivid picture of the Good Shepherd’s ultimate promise. In the heavenly throne room, a multitude from every nation, tribe, and language gathers in worship. This is the culmination of Jesus’ shepherding: eternal joy and security in his presence.

In this vision, Jesus is both the Shepherd who leads and the Lamb who was slain for salvation. His love is sacrificial and victorious. The promises of this passage resonate deeply. Hunger, thirst, and sorrow will be no more. The Shepherd leads his people to springs of living water, and God himself wipes away every tear. This is the Good Shepherd’s care at its most tender.

For those enduring grief or uncertainty, this vision offers unshakable hope. Jesus’ leadership doesn’t end with this life. He carries us into the joy of eternal safety, where every tear is replaced with the fullness of life.

TRUSTING THE SHEPHERD

Today’s readings reveal Jesus as the Shepherd who knows, restores and leads. His words offer unshakable hope: ‘My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.’

Perhaps you, like many, have faced seasons where trust feels misplaced. Life is full of false promises and voices competing for attention. Jesus, however, offers something radically different. He knows you fully, loves you completely, and leads you faithfully. His call is not to achieve but to trust, not to fear but to follow.

This week, consider where you place your trust. Are you listening for the Shepherd’s voice? Are you allowing him to restore what feels broken? Are you following him toward the joy and security he promises? Rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd knows you and will never leave your side.