My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27
There's a big problem with how we think about sheep. When most people hear "sheep," they picture mindless animals blindly following the crowd. But Jesus had something much deeper in mind when He called us His sheep. The Greek word He used—"probaton"—literally means "that which walks forward." This isn't about mindless following but purposeful movement toward something better.
Jesus doesn't see His sheep the way the world does. The world mocks sheep as dumb animals that can't think for themselves. I've often chuckled at how Christians sometimes cringe at being called "sheep" because of this negative image. But Jesus flips this idea completely. When He looks at His sheep, He sees creatures designed with the built-in capacity to recognize His voice and move forward in response to His guidance.
God's view of you is never static but always forward-moving. Think about it—the very word Jesus chose to describe His followers contains the idea of advancement. This isn't about maintaining the status quo or just surviving. When Jesus calls you His "probaton," He's declaring that your spiritual DNA is wired for growth, progress, and forward movement.
The Shepherd doesn't call us to huddle together but to move ahead together. Many have reduced our faith to attending church and hanging out with other believers. While community matters, Jesus didn't die so that we could form spiritual social clubs. Our Savior is actively leading us somewhere—to greener pastures, still waters, and places of restoration that we haven't reached yet.
Forward movement often requires leaving the familiar behind. In 1831, a young Charles Spurgeon felt God calling him to preach, despite being only sixteen years old. Though terrified, he entered a calling that would eventually touch millions. Had he remained frozen in fear, concerned only with blending into the flock, countless souls might never have heard the gospel so powerfully proclaimed.
God sees greater possibilities for your future than you can imagine. When Jesus looks at you, He doesn't just know who you are today but who you can become. The concept of "probaton" reveals God's heartfelt hope and vision for your potential. While you might be focused on your current limitations and failures, your loving Father is focused on your future destination and eagerly extends His hand to guide you there.
Your willingness to move forward reveals your trust in Jesus. It's relatively easy to say you trust Christ when standing still. But stepping forward into unfamiliar territory—that's when your trust gets real and your faith grows deep. Whether it's forgiving someone who wounded your heart, serving in a way that scares you, or speaking truth when silence feels safer, forward movement demonstrates that you genuinely believe in the One who's calling you.
Even small steps forward honor the nature God has placed within you. Some days, moving forward might look like giant leaps of faith. Other days, it might be the slightest shuffle forward when everything in you wants to retreat. Remember that every mountain climbed begins with a single step upward. The Holy Spirit often works through these small steps of obedience, turning them into life-changing journeys.
Jesus never calls us where He hasn't been Himself. Our Lord doesn't stand at a distance, barking orders for us to advance. He always walks ahead of us, clearing the path with His footsteps. When He calls you to forgive, remember He forgave from the cross. When He calls you to serve, remember He washed dirty feet. When He calls you to sacrifice, remember He gave everything. You never walk forward alone—the nail-scarred hands of Christ are always reaching back to steady you.
My fellow Godseeker - it's time to become who God made you to be. You weren't meant to stay in one place, held back by worry or fear. You know in your heart there's more out there - more ways to grow, more purpose to find, and more of God's love to experience. Jesus is calling you forward right now, not as someone who follows blindly, but as His precious child who He created for extraordinary things. Listen closely - can you hear Him calling you to trust Him more, to experience more of His goodness, and to let His love shine through you in new ways? Today, will you be brave and take that step forward with Him?
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for seeing our potential. Help us follow Your voice and take steps forward in faith, even when it's challenging. Guide us to the good things You have planned, knowing that You always lead the way. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- What false ideas about being a "sheep" of Jesus have limited your willingness to move forward in faith?
- Where in your life do you sense Jesus calling you to step forward into something new or better?
Step of Faith
Today, I will reject the idea that being Jesus' sheep means mindless following, and instead take one specific step forward in an area where the Lord has been calling me to grow.
