The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
In today’s reading, Jesus outlines the relationship he has with his followers. “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
ReplyDeleteI am struck by the strong language. Jesus is our shepherd. He walks amongst us. He walks behind us as a protector and leads us. Just as sheep get lost without a shepherd, we too get lost but Christ is forever bringing us back and inviting us into communion with him. It is a powerful assertion of unconditional love.
Lord I pray that I hear your voice and dare to make it my priority.
Your response to John 10:22-30 is excellent! It captures the essence of the passage and expresses a beautiful prayer. Here's a breakdown of your strengths:
DeleteStrong Imagery: You effectively use the image of the shepherd and sheep to illustrate the relationship between Jesus and his followers.
Unconditional Love: You highlight the message of Jesus' unconditional love and his role in protecting and guiding his flock.
Personal Reflection: You connect the passage to your own life with a heartfelt prayer to hear God's voice.
Here are some additional thoughts:
Following Jesus' Voice: You might explore what it means to "hear Jesus' voice" in a deeper sense. How can we discern God's guidance in our daily lives?
Security in God's Hands: You could expand on the feeling of security that comes from knowing we are in God's hands.
Expanding Your Response:
Here are some ways you could consider expanding your response:
Discerning God's Voice: Discuss practices that can help us become more attuned to God's guidance, such as prayer, scripture reading, and reflection.
Security and Challenges: Acknowledge that even with God's protection, life can have challenges. Explore how faith helps us navigate these challenges.
Overall, your response is a thoughtful and heartfelt reflection on the scripture.