We continue our study of the Gospel of John. Picking up at verse 22, of Chapter 10. The Apostle, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote:
“Then came the festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in the Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews who were there gathered around Him saying, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about Me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 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 shall snatch them 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. I and the Father are One. ‘
Again His Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone Him, but Jesus said to them, ‘I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?’
The Jews, the Pharisees, had already made up their mind, so it did not matter what Jesus told them, they just wanted to kill Him. They were waiting for Him to say something they could use to do so, and justify themselves to those who believed in Jesus.
Once again, the Lord used the opportunity to tell the Good News about who He is, and what He does. To those who believe His Words, and follow Him, ‘He gives eternal life, and they shall never perish.’ He gave them assurance that nothing could snatch them out of His hand, that they could never lose their salvation (as sadly some think they can if they do something terribly wrong), because the One who has all power, and is greater than all, His Father, our Father, has us in His hand.
Jesus went on to say clearly that He and the Father of all, are One. He told them plainly that He is the Messiah. Eternal Life, and eternal protection is in Him.
So it was for them. So it is for us. Let us simply believe in Him. Let us Trust Him to keep us, and provide for us in every way, today and for all time to come. He is God. He is Love.
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