Scripture Reading(s)
John 10:22-30
10:22 At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter,
10:23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
10:24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
10:25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me;
10:26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.
10:27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.
10:29 What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand.
10:30 The Father and I are one.”
Reflections
This passage give us full assurance that we are part of God’s family and no matter what anyone does to us, we will never be abandoned by our loving Father. We also notice in this passage that the Jews were not asking Him if He was the true Messiah because they were interested in learning the truth, they asked because they wanted a reason to attack Him. They had no interest in learning who Jesus Christ truly is. Here Christ shows that there are those who are His sheep and those who are not. There are those who accept the message of Christ and those who reject it.
There is also a promise that is made to those of us who are in Christ. We are secure because He is the Good Shepherd, who has the power to keep them safe. There is nothing that can touch us or snatch us from the loving care of our Heavenly Father. In verse 29, we see how the Father stands behind His sheep and we have ultimate security in Him.
This promise is still available to us today. By making the choice to accept the message of Jesus Christ as being the one true God and our Lord and Saviour, we too can find that same security and rest in Him. No matter what trial or hardships we face, it is not the circumstance that will define us, rather that knowing God is sovereign and in complete control we can find true and ultimate peace.
Much concern is given about the Jew’s inquisition of Jesus throughout the gospels. Reading this passage it is hard to tell if they are earnestly wanting an answer from Jesus or if they are trying to trap Him in something.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” (John 10:24)
I might be leaning towards the idea that they were earnestly wanting an answer. However, it is clear that they were already given their answer by the works that Jesus had performed. He then says that they don’t believe because they are not His sheep, for His sheep know His voice and follow.
I think this is universally true for us today. Those who abide in Christ are always going to see His presence everywhere. In the small things and in the miracles that surround us each day. But those walking in the flesh and not following Christ are going to have a hard time with this. They are blinded by their own desires. I think we can all say that at some point in our walk we were on either side of this divide. But Jesus is our good shepherd and He goes after us even when we stray.
Let us always focus on the Lord and not be blinded to the work of the Spirit in the world around us and in our own lives.
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