My sheep hear my voice
Psalm 23 (Coverdale Psalter)
The LORD is my shepherd; therefore, I can lack nothing.
He shall feed me in green pastures and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
He shall refresh my soul and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me.
You shall prepare a table before me, in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
John 10:22-30 NRSV
At that time the festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 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.” Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
To those who accepted him, Jesus offered and promised three things.
Eternal life
He promised them a foretaste of the life which is the very life of God. He promised that if they accepted Him as Master and Lord, if they became members of His flock, all the littleness of earthly life would be gone, and they would know the splendour and the magnificence of the life of God.
A Life That Would Know No End
They would never perish. Death for them would be nothing; death would not be the end but the beginning. They would never be obliterated or go out into the dark. They would know the glory of indestructible life.
A Life That Was Secure
Nothing could snath them from His hand. This would not mean that they would be saved from sorrow, saved from suffering and saved from death; but it would mean that in the sorest moment and the darkest hour they would still be conscious of the everlasting arms underneath and about them. They would know a security which not all earth’s perils and alarms could shake. Even in a world crashing to disaster they would know the serenity of God.[1]
O God our King,
By the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.[2]
In Christ Alone
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible, Gospel of John Volume 2, p. 85.
[2] A Collect for Strength to Await Christ’s Return. Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 22.
