Jesus says: “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (Joh 10:16 NIV)

There is only one shepherd and one flock, but not all sheep are his nor will all become his either. The Lord proclaims the separation of his sheep from the others too loud and clear that we could miss it. Sadly its not even going to be the majority that will be his as the Lord warns: But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Mat 7:14 NIV) See, that is the reason, why we should know, how to become a part of Christ’s flock and also to remain in that blessed herd. It is necessary, yes vital even that we know how to be counted amongst the elected crowd with eternal promise. Our Lord himself answers this so friendly and lovingly that we are baffled that still the road to destruction is so broad and that so many are found on it. He says: I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. How does this one herd come about and how does the good shepherd lead the newly won sheep to the others? They too will listen to my voice! The Shepherd calls and the sheep hear. He talks, they listen. He tells the story of what he has done for us and our salvation. How he gave his live for his sheep and how he gained heaven and eternal life for them, how he reigns now and forever for us and for our salvation. That’s what his story is about. That’s what his sheep hear and believe. His servants repeat this message, they preach and teach the same until they die, but the message continues to ring out, it is immortal and the Lord’s voice is heard throughout the ages until the very end of time. And those who hear and follow his voice, have life. Life depends on this hearing, listening, obeying, trusting, believing. Whoever hears, shall receive life in abundance. Oh, therefore listen to him, follow his guidance and be counted amongst his very own.

Lord Jesus Christ, you have given us your holy word so that we may hear it. Grant that we listen to your voice and obey you and thus be counted amongst your elected herd, that nobody and nothing will snatch from your caring hands. Amen.

Bring those outside in to be part of your small herd; preserve those that are therein and strengthen them by your holy word so that you and yours are united forever in blessed salvation and joy. (Eberhard Ludwig Fischer, 1695-1773)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Friday after the second Sunday after Easter: Misericordias Domini. It is found on Pg. 178 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.