Acts 13:14, 43-52; Rev. 7:9, 14b-17; Jn. 10:27-30
The imagery of the shepherd is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. God is depicted as the Shepherd of Israel in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” David, the shepherd-king, foreshadows Christ as the ultimate Shepherd who knows His flock intimately and leads them to safety. Ezekiel 34 speaks of God’s promise to search for His sheep and care for them, an echo of Jesus’ mission.
Consider the calling of Samuel (1 Samuel 3). As a young boy, Samuel heard the voice of God calling him by name. Initially mistaking it for Eli’s voice, Samuel eventually responded with the words, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” This readiness to hear and obey mirrors the call Jesus extends to His sheep.