14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 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. 

The word “know” means more than intellectual awareness. It also means an intimate relationship between God and His people.   The Eastern shepherd knows his sheep personally and therefore knows best how to minister to them. It says that he calls them all by name. Our Lord notices, knows and cares about all.  He cares about you and knows you by name. Isn't it amazing that the One born 2,000 years ago and, of course, existed before the world began thinks you are important.  He notices and cares about individuals.

Jesus knows our natures.  While all sheep are alike in their essential nature, each sheep has its own distinctive characteristics and the loving shepherd recognizes these traits.  One may be afraid of heights, another of dark shadows.  Because Jesus knows our natures, He also knows our needs.  The 23rd Psalm reminds us that in the pastures, by the waters, and even through the valleys, the sheep need not fear, because the shepherd is caring for them and meeting their needs.

The Word also tells us that not only did He know the lost sheep of Israel, but that He knows another flock.  Aren't you glad that Jesus did not leave salvation only for the Jews like they thought. Jesus has more sheep.  We Gentiles were included in this one flock.   The church was not to remain a Jewish flock.  Peter and Paul took the message to the Gentiles and God prepared their hearts to receive it.   There is but one flock.  The people of God who belong to the Good Shepherd and follow Him are God’s sheep. There are not two groups of sheep that belong to God as some teach. There are Jews and Gentiles who are following Christ.

The unity of the flock is not that there will be one denominational church.   The correct translation, as NIV also has it, is one flock, not one-fold.  There is a difference. "They shall become one flock and there shall be one shepherd" Unity comes from the fact that all the sheep hear and answer and obey one shepherd and that is Jesus Christ.  Unity is not an ecclesiastical unity; the unity is a unity of loyalty to Jesus the Good Shepherd.

Missions is the message of John.  God so loved the world.  Jesus defied customs and witnessed to a Samaritan woman. He healed the Syro-Phoenician woman. He demonstrated, that the greatest faith He saw was in a Roman officer.  Jesus’ desire is that lost people of the world will be saved. 

Application:  He knows you. Do you know Him?

Prayer:  I want to know You Lord....to know the power of Your risen life
And to know You in Your sufferings
To become like You in Your death, my Lord
So with You to live and never die - The Lord is my shepherd.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life for You care for me and will always meet my needs.   I love You Lord.