John 10:27-30 - My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.
What does it mean to be a sheep? While you may not like to think of yourself in this way, it’s more accurate than we often like to believe about ourselves. Sheep aren’t the most intelligent creatures. They get lost easily, needing guidance from other sheep or from a shepherd. Without a shepherd they can find themselves in all sorts of unfortunate circumstances. If they find themselves alone, outside of the flock, it is even more dangerous.
This is who we are. We are dependent, easily distracted and somewhat confused sheep. While being a sheep may not sound all that great, it takes on a whole new meaning when we bring Jesus into the story. He is not a shepherd who is unsure of who his sheep are. Jesus knows his sheep. He doesn’t just know your name, he knows everything about you. It is because he knows us that we can trust that he will shepherd us perfectly. We trust him, and so we know that we can follow him wherever he leads.
What is the life of a Jesus following sheep like? It is a life of hope and promise. In Jesus we find ourselves to be in the most secure and safe relationship that we could ever know. We need not worry about death because Jesus gives us imperishable, eternal life. We need not fear anyone’s threats against us or fear those who may cause us harm because Jesus’ hold on us is so strong and sure that no one can take us from him.
How can we be so secure in Christ? Because the Father has given you to him. The great God who has authority over all creation has given you to Jesus. The living God is holding you under the shadow of his wings, keeping you until the end. If the God of all creation is holding you, you need not ever worry about him letting you go. The Father will not lose a single child, because he is incapable of doing so. Similarly, Jesus will never lose a single sheep because in being the great, loving shepherd, it would be impossible for him to let you go.
There is one God and he loves you. In his great mercy he sees you as a sinning sheep, but he calls to you to come home. When you hear his voice, run to him. See the love with which Jesus loves his sheep, and find great hope and strength in him as he holds you fast today, tomorrow and through all of eternity.
