Scripture to Read: John 10:27–28
Jesus continued to challenge the religious leaders by telling them in John 10:27–28, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” Remember that Jesus had told them in John 10:5, 8, 10, and 12–13 that they were not true shepherds. Then, in John 10:26, Jesus told them that they didn’t believe because they were not true sheep and therefore, they didn’t belong to Him. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not saying that God the Father made it impossible for them to believe; Jesus is simply pointing out the fact that they had chosen not to hear and follow Him as their Lord. By choosing to refuse Christ, they had chosen to remain blind to seeing Him and deaf to hearing Him for Who He is—the same is true today. Though people hear the gospel of Christ, it does not guarantee they will respond to the gospel. God desires us to love Him in the same way He loves us, which is unconditionally. God never forces His love on us, and He gives us the ability to love Him back. When anyone chooses to die to themselves (Galatians 2:19–20) and surrender to Christ, their eyes and ears are opened to the fullness of Who He is and who they are through Him. Then, in verse 28, Jesus describes the benefits and blessings that come to those who follow Him, and these benefits are eternal.
Challenge & Application
• Why were the religious leaders told that they were not Jesus’ sheep? What was their problem?
• We know, even as Christians, how ugly our flesh is; so, how are you crucifying your flesh daily so that you hear your Lord clearly?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!