In John 18:37, Jesus says: “To this end was I born and for this cause came I unto the world that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears my voice.”
Jesus bore witness of the Father’s character and he embodied all truth and righteousness. In this age of grace, he is seeking followers who have an affinity and desire for the truth, and who can appreciate the amazing offer of reconciliation with God.
In Matthew 13:45, 46, the parable of the pearl of great price describes a man who was looking for investments. While examining a field, he found a pearl of great price and immediately recognized the incredible value of that treasure. He then proceeded to sell everything he owned and bought the field containing the pearl. This is a picture of a truth seeker who hears the Gospel message of the Bible and realizes the immense privilege of entering into a relationship with God. To apply this to John 18:37, this buyer is the person who hears the voice of Jesus.
As we continue to walk closer to him by study and prayer, we receive more of the spirit of the knowledge and understanding. We learn to discern his voice better. Thus, the hearing of the voice is a metaphor for discerning God’s guidance with the purpose of being transformed into his likeness. John 10:17, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Though it is not a literal voice that we hear now, as in God’s past dealings with his people, the impact of his written word is no less significant. Christians have the God’s holy spirit guiding us in all truth. John 16:13
We study the Apostles’ words and accounts, and now we walk by faith. We do not rely on our natural sight or our natural hearing to understand God or to have a relationship with Him. Rather, it is by faith in Jesus that we have access to God. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
