John 10:19-30
Secure in Christ
Daily S.O.A.P. Prompts
S – What verse stands out to me today?
O – What is God revealing about Jesus?
A – How should this change my life today?
P – What is my prayer in response?
Scripture
(John 10:19-30, NLT)19 When he said these things, the people were again divided in their opinions about him. 20 Some said, “He’s demon possessed and out of his mind. Why listen to a man like that?” 21 Others said, “This doesn’t sound like a man possessed by a demon! Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” 22 It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication. 23 He was in the Temple, walking through the section known as Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. 26 But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.” 31 Once again the people picked up stones to kill him. 32 Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?”
Observation
The people are divided in their opinions about Jesus. He must be demon-possessed and out of his mind. Others wonder how a demon-possessed man can help the blind. The tension continues to build as people try to figure out who Jesus really is even though he has already told them.
I notice John tells us it is now winter and the Festival of Dedication is occurring in Jerusalem and Jesus is in the Temple.
The crowd asks, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense?” They are asking, if Jesus is the Messiah, then why won’t he just say so…
Multiple times through John, Jesus has proclaimed his divinity to the people. The problem isn’t that Jesus hasn’t “already told” them who he is. The problem is they haven’t “believed”.
Jesus plainly states that his sheep will believe, know his voice, and follow him. How do you know if you are a sheep of the shepherd? A sheep will believe and follow.
The sheep receive eternal life and will never perish. They cannot be snatched away from the Father.
The people pick up stones “again” to stone Jesus. Interestingly, he asks them a question, “For which one [of these good works] are you going to stone me?”
Application
Jesus tells us the truth, but often we don’t get it. He has to say it to us over and over again.
Belief in Jesus will result in following Jesus.
Doing good doesn’t mean the crowd won’t try and stone you.
Jesus gives us eternal life and no lone can snatch us away from the Father’s hand.
Prayer
Dear Father, your hands are so strong. Once I am placed in your hands by Jesus, your word tells me that I can never be snatched from those strong hands. This gives me great peace. I know that through Jesus my eternity is secured. Help me to hear your voice and follow every instruction to the letter. I desire to know you more and make you known. In Jesus’ name, amen!
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