“My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.”–John 10:27–28
Though not originally from here, I live in a beautiful corner of the world called Northern Ireland. Ireland is known for its greenery, stone walls, and magnificent coastal views. One thing about this island is that no matter where you go, you will probably meet or see a flock of sheep.
The Bible, as you may know, is full of sheep and shepherd metaphors. God calls Himself the Good Shepherd in many different places throughout Scripture (Psalm 23:1; Isaiah 40:11; Micah 5:2; John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20), and refers to His people, us, as the sheep or “the flock” (Psalm 77:20; Psalm 79:13; Matthew 15:24; 1 Peter 5:2–3).
Today’s verses from John 10:27–28 are beautiful reminders of what Jesus’ sheep are like. They:
– Listen to Jesus’ voice
– Follow Him
– Never perish
And Jesus:
– Knows His sheep
– Gives them eternal life
– Holds them in His hands
What wonderful verses packed with powerful promises!
If we have proclaimed that Jesus is Lord, and trusted Him as our Savior, we have nothing to fear and everything to gain! Jesus is saying to us that it is not our activity or earning or deserving that secures our life with Him and eternity in His presence. Our security as Jesus’ sheep lies with Him alone as our Good Shepherd, the One who knows us, gives us eternal life, and holds us securely in His hand. He’s got the power to keep us safe. He has rescued us from what we deserve so we can experience life to the full, free and secure.
I once had a professor who, during a lecture at the beginning of a new year, shared his hopes and a “resolution” for the year ahead. He decided to read the Bible as if it were true. As he finished his lecture that day, he challenged each of us in his classroom, “How different would your life be if you read the Bible as if it were true?”
Friends, let me extend this same challenge to you today. What if you read these verses truly believing them?
“My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from my hand.” –John 10:27-28
What if they were actually true? What if it was true that no one could snatch you away from Jesus’ hand? What if it were true that you’ve been given eternal life? What if you truly believed that Jesus knows you and loves you?
What difference would that make to how you live your life today—how you interact with others, what mood you are in, the purpose in your every stride?
Let’s commit to being women who read the Bible as if it were true (because it is!). Let’s be women who take God at His Word and live according to what it says. Let’s be women who, just as Jesus describes His sheep, know Him and follow Him.
In what way will your life be different now that you know your life and faith are secure because Jesus has provided you with eternal life, and nothing can ever take that away?
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Join us this season as we dive into the Gospel of John. As we prepare our hearts for Easter and the celebration of the resurrection of Christ, we’ll study who Jesus is and the impact of His ministry. Through this study we’ll discover that Jesus is the Son of God and the only way to eternal life!
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