Jesus described Himself as “the good shepherd” (John 10:11, 14). The reason why He applied this label to Himself is because He “lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11), and because He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him (John 10:14).
His sheep listen to Him as He provides direction and leads them in the way they should go. As they remain close to their shepherd, they are protected and sustained by Him. When they stop listening to the shepherd and wander off, there is danger.
However, Jesus explained that the sheep will not listen to just anybody. He said, “When [the shepherd] puts forth all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:4-5). The sheep follow the shepherd and only the shepherd.
The term “sheep” has been used in a derogatory way today to describe those who seem to blindly and unquestioningly accept whatever some authority figure says (in religion, politics, or some other area). Some Christians have defended this by saying that Jesus has called us to be sheep. This is true, but we are His sheep. Therefore, we need to be careful not to listen to just anybody; instead, we need to make sure we are following the Lord first.
So remember that sheep listen to their shepherd. We are not to blindly and unquestioningly follow whatever some authority figure tells us to do. Instead, we need to submit to Christ regardless of what anyone else may say.