Do I Recognize the Shepherd's Voice

My reading today was in John 20 and I found it interesting that Mary of Magdala was the first one to be privileged to see the resurrected Christ. She was not the first one to enter the tomb, although she was the first one there, but after going and reporting to the disciples she went back to the tomb and remained outside while Peter and John went inside.   The men left and Mary stayed and wept deeply before finally going into the tomb.  She saw two angels and they told her that Jesus was not there because He had been raised from the dead.  Jesus appears to Mary, but she does not recognize Him.  However, when He speaks to her and calls her name she immediately knows that it is Jesus.  We read in scripture where Jesus is called the “Good Shepherd” and that His sheep will recognize His voice just as a real shepherd will be heard and followed by his herd.

I find that as Jesus often did in his 3 years of ministry, His appearing to a woman who sought Him dearly was such a sweet example of how He loved Mary.  It reminds me of luke 12:48  which says “…those who have been forgiven much, much will be required.”  Oh, to have such faith that we immediately recognize the shepherd’s voice ourselves and don’t have to wait to follow the rest of the herd.  When God has our attention and our love and devotion, He only has to speak softly and we know that our Shepherd is calling us. The herd mentality is that as the herd moves the rest go along, but not all of them necessarily heard the voice of the shepherd.  How precious it is to be in tune with Jesus that we can be immediately obedient when we hear His calling.  Are you close and listening or are you following the herd because they are moving?