We all are familiar with the image of Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. He told us so Himself:

"I am the good shepherd… I know Mine, and Mine know Me... And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold. Them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd." (St. John 10:14-17)

In saying this, Jesus was referring to a custom among the shepherds of Palestine in His day. Every night, the various shepherds would bring their sheep to rest together in one large corral. It had no roof, so that all the sheep could sleep in the open air.

But to prevent thieves from climbing over the walls and stealing sheep, a watchman was posted at the corral. This man would let no one but the shepherds come near the sheep.

When it came time for a shepherd to bring his flock to pasture, he would simply come to the corral, and call out to his sheep. Now there were many sheep from numerous flocks all mixed together in one place. But every single sheep knew the voice of their shepherd - the one person they followed.

So no matter how many shepherds were calling, there was no confusion among the sheep. Each sheep came out and followed that voice which led them to their own shepherd. After gathering all his sheep to him, the shepherd then led his flock safely to pasture.

This imagery of this contemporary custom of Our Lord’s day makes it easier to understand and see what Jesus was referring to when He told all His sheep, down through the ages, "I am the good shepherd… I know Mine, and Mine know Me... and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd."