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March 23 -- John 10:22-42

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” –John 10:27-28 (NIV)

Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah), and the Jewish leaders began questioning Him again, asking Him to tell them “plainly” if He is the Messiah (v. 24). (They were really trying desperately to figure out how to explain away Jesus and His miracles.) Jesus responded that He had told them, and yet they refused to believe, even with the evidence of the miracles, because they were not His sheep (vv. 25-26). He repeated what He had told them earlier about His sheep listening to His voice and following Him, but this time, He added, “[N]o one will snatch [the sheep] out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand” (vv. 28-29). Then, He concluded by saying, “I and the Father are one” (v. 30).

The Jewish leaders immediately recognized Jesus’ words as a claim to deity, and they picked up stones to stone Him (v. 31). In response, Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6, in which God says, “I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’” This Scripture does not mean that mere men can make a claim to deity but that God has granted them some authority on earth as His children (sons) and representatives. So, why would they stone Jesus for making a similar yet greater claim when His miracles show He has a right to make it? Other men were granted a little authority and called “sons of the Most High.” He has ultimate authority, proven by the miracles, so He can rightly say He is one with the Father. Jesus concluded, “…even though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father” (v. 38). At this, the leaders attempted to seize Him again, but He escaped.

After this exchange, Jesus withdrew to a place across the Jordan River, and many people went to Him and believed. His sheep listened and followed Him, just as He had said.

Consider: Because of Jesus’ claims, no one can say He was simply a good man and wise teacher. As theologians have noted, Jesus did not leave us any room for thinking of Him this way. Instead, He left us with a “trilemma”—we must each decide if we believe Him to be a liar, a lunatic, or God with us in human flesh. Those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior recognize His voice and follow Him.

Prayer is a conversation, and conversations are never one-sided. In your time with God today, be sure to listen as much as you talk. Learning to hear Jesus’ voice in the midst of life’s chaos is a lifelong process.

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My name is Melissa Anderson. I'm a spiritual director and ordained pastor who loves God, people, and words. You can read more about me by clicking the button below.

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