THE TRUTH FREES. HIS VOICE LEADS

The sheep hears the Shepherd even in the storm

Jesus stood before Pilate, not to defend Himself, but to testify to the truth. He declared that He was born and came into the world to bear witness to the truth, and that everyone who is of the truth hears His voice (John 18:37). Yet those standing before Him could not comprehend what He was saying.

In the Scriptures, truth reveals God's faithful character (Exodus 34:6), the reality that is genuine and not concealed, Jesus Christ Himself who is the Truth (John 14:6), and a life that walks in obedience to God's revelation (1 John 1:6; 3 John 3–4). Jesus, the Truth sent by the Father, came into the world to bear witness to the truth.

The chief priests and the Jews had already determined to put Jesus to death. Though they refused to enter the Praetorium to avoid ceremonial defilement, they were willing to use the Romans to accomplish their purpose (John 18:28–31). When Pilate asked for the accusation, they gave no clear charge because they had already judged Him.

After hearing Jesus testify concerning the truth, Pilate asked what truth was, yet he did not remain to hear the answer (John 18:38). Both Pilate and the religious leaders judged everything by what they could see with their natural eyes. Unable to comprehend the invisible Kingdom of God, they stumbled over the Truth standing before them.

Jesus had already taught that the Truth sets people free (John 8:32). Those whom the Truth has set free hear His voice because they belong to the Truth.

Jesus later identified His followers as sheep who hear His voice, are known by Him, and follow Him (John 10:27). Hearing His voice is not merely recognizing a sound; it is the evidence of belonging to the Shepherd.

Jesus also taught that the Kingdom of God does not come through visible observation (Luke 17:20–21). God's Kingdom first invades the heart through the Truth. Those who remain in bondage continue to evaluate everything by sight, while those who have been set free learn to live by hearing.

The storm on the Sea of Galilee illustrates this truth. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they were terrified. But Peter recognized the Shepherd's voice, responded to His command, and stepped out of the boat to walk on the water (Matthew 14:22–29).

Peter did not step onto calm water. He stepped into the storm because he heard the Shepherd's voice. His hearing produced faith, and his faith produced obedience.

Sheep remain close to the shepherd and continually learn to recognize his voice. They depend upon the shepherd rather than themselves. In the same way, believers must continually hear the Shepherd's voice. When the storm comes, they do not begin learning His voice then; they already know it. Hearing has trained their minds to believe and respond.

The person who has learned to hear the Shepherd's voice continues to hear Him even in the midst of the storm because the Truth has set him free from bondage. Those who remain in bondage cannot hear the Shepherd's voice because they comprehend only what is visible to their natural eyes. Like Pilate and the religious leaders, they evaluate everything by what they see and therefore stumble over the invisible Kingdom of God.

SOW THIS WORD INTO YOUR SOUL

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