16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
This is a great encouragement for the life of Christ’s church. We can delight in the personal love of Jesus to each believer but now here he is encouraging a wider scope in our thinking. We each need to recognise that it is not “all about me.” It surely is about me as a believer but not just me. The love of Jesus is also for others and Jesus here describes others hearing his voice. The good news of Christ goes out through his people. Others hear and recognise that Jesus calls them. They respond in faith and become very much a part of his flock, his people under his care.
In the modern world of divided Christianity, with denominations, independent groups and factions within each, it is easy to lose sight of the unity of God’s people. All for whom Christ has died, who have heard the call of the gospel and entrusted their life to Jesus are part of the one people of God: one flock, one shepherd. They are our brothers and sisters, dearly loved by Jesus.
There is great encouragement thinking about the many people who are not from “our group” who have the same loving relationship with Jesus as we have.