" I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father." Just as there is an intimacy between the Father and Son, so there is an intimacy between us and Jesus. This intimacy is indicated by hearing and recognizing the voice of the Shepherd. Only the sheep that belong to the Good Shepherd follow his voice. When we are in union with Jesus, we will not listen to the voice of "the stranger," the devil. The devil comes to snatch us away from the Good Shepherd and destroy us through the bondage of sin. The voice of the Good Shepherd, whom we follow, protects, loves and gives us eternal life. As long as we remain in union with Jesus we will be safe, and our salvation is assured. He is the Good Shepherd; we are the sheep of his flock.