When I first saw the reference photo that I eventually used for this drawing, the sheep’s expression of loving trust stood out to me. I wonder what caused it to look at the photographer with those big, expressive eyes? There’s only one answer that makes sense to me. His shepherd just got a new camera, and the sheep heard the familiar voice of the shepherd calling it over to pose for a picture. (And, out of spite, the other sheep are photo-bombing in the background. Sigh…)

Okay, well, maybe that’s not what happened. But to me, it illustrates one of the many truths found in Scripture. A sheep responds to its shepherd’s voice. The verse, spoken by the Good Shepherd Jesus himself, is this one:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” - John 10:27 (ESV)

Why is that? I can answer that in a single word. Connection. The sheep is connected to its shepherd for an extended time and has learned through experience that its shepherd can be trusted.