Today’s reading: John 9:13-11:16
My selection: John 10:27-30
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
My reflections: For the Christian, Christ’s sheep, there is hardly a more comforting or reassuring passage in all the Bible. What do the sheep have?
Eternal life, the assurance they will never perish.
Security in being held in Christ’s hand and in the Father’s hand.
Personal intimacy with the Lord, the Good Shepherd, who says He knows His sheep.
In other words, there is certainty of salvation and relationship with God, a certainty which cannot be lost.
How can you tell if you are one of His sheep? His sheep hear His voice. His sheep follow Him.
What is the basis for this promise? God the Father has given Jesus His sheep. The Father and the Son are one. They are agreed about this and this purpose cannot be defeated.
My challenge: Obedience to Christ is a trait of His sheep. Other Scriptures (Romans 7; I John 1) indicate that there is a battle with sin which continues in believers until they enter into the Lord’s presence (I John 3:1-2). Yet Christ’s sheep cannot go long and far from their Shepherd. They are drawn back to Him in repentance and renewed obedience over and over again. He seeks His own who wander away (Luke 15:1-7).
Praise God for His promises of eternal life . If you are one of His sheep, rejoice in His knowledge and care of you.
Tomorrow’s reading: John 11:17-12:50
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