Wednesday 10th July
Read John 10:24-30
“The Jews who were there gathered round him, saying, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’
25 Jesus answered, ‘I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe 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 shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.’” (NIVUK)
If someone asked you what the Messianic hope of the Jews consisted in, how would you respond? Jewish expectations clearly didn’t align with Jesus’ understanding, which is why He never categorically announced Himself as the Messiah. It would have been confused with freedom from Roman rule and triumphant kingdom expansion. Jesus understood it to be the arrival of God’s rule amongst His people, life where there was death, blessing where the curse reigned. Security under God’s sovereignty.
This explains why Jesus, in answering their questions around His identity, goes on to explain that those who hear His voice will have life and not death, will be secure because God is sovereign in all things, and will find that security through Jesus. His oneness with, and obedience to, the Father creates the sure foundation upon which God’s rule on earth is established. It is less about freedom from Roman rule, the external circumstances associated with kingship, and far more about the promised creation blessings of God’s rule on earth within humanity. Life in its fullest sense indeed because we are known and loved!
