(Jesus said) "When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice." John 10:4

It was around 1985 when a friend of mine was backpacking through the country of Jordan.

It was late afternoon or early evening, when he stopped and watched three shepherds who were watering their flocks at a common well. As the flocks had mixed together, my friend wondered how the shepherds would separate them.

Eventually, one of the shepherds stood up and called out, "Menah!" -- Arabic for "Follow me!"

Unbelievably, 30 sheep immediately walked out of the super-flock and began to follow their shepherd up the hill. The second shepherd shouted, "Menah!" and his flock followed after him. As for the other sheep, they acted as if nothing had happened.

When the third shepherd stood up, my friend asked, "Would your sheep follow me if I called them?" The man shook his head and invited my friend to try.

My friend called out, "Menah! Menah!" The sheep looked at him as if he had lost his mind. "Will they always follow you?" my friend asked.

The shepherd said, "Always. Except when a sheep is sick; then the creature follows any one."

Today, Jesus -- our Shepherd, our Savior -- is calling, "Menah!" -- "Come!"

It is not the first time Jesus had extended such an invitation. When He walked with us, He invited Andrew and Peter, James and John. He stopped for a moment at Matthew's tax-collector table and did the same. Jesus' invitation and the Holy Spirit's power have summoned hundreds of millions into the forgiven and saved life that God alone can give.

Sadly, there are many millions who still have not heard Jesus say, "Menah!"

There are those people whose governments have put up walls to stop missionaries from sharing in cities, towns and villages. In such places Lutheran Hour Ministries speaks on behalf of the Savior and broadcasts His call: "Menah!"

Then there are those global religions that are so afraid of the Savior they call for the execution of any person who preaches the message of salvation. To these frightened people we use the air waves and print to let them know God's perfect love can cast out our fear (see 1 John 4:18).

Today Jesus still comes and He still says, "Menah!" He still calls, "Come, leave behind your life of sin and separation. Come, believe on Me and I will give you a new life worth living. Come, be My disciple. Do not turn away from My love, My mercy, My concern for you. Come, and be made a forgiven brother or sister. Come and know the joy of a loving Father. Come, before it is too late."

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, today the Holy Spirit still extends Jesus' invitation to a lost world. Grant the unsaved will be turned and follow Jesus on the road to heaven. Grant the lost may hear the Savior's voice that will change their lives in this world and the next. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: 1 Kings 3-4    Proverbs 1    John 19:1-22

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