Jesus claims he is Israel’s True Shepherd. He spells it out very clearly through the metaphor of the Shepherd and the sheep. Yet, again, the Pharisees failed to connect the dots. He tells them “I am the good shepherd” two times. He explains that like the good shepherd, He lays down his life for the sheep no less than five times!
The shepherd/sheep analogy continues with his observation that sheep follow the shepherd because they know the voice of the shepherd. The voice of the shepherd in the Old Testament was spoken through Moses and the prophets (whom they did not believe, see John 5). The voice of the shepherd in the New Testament was spoken through Jesus (“…but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Heb. 1:2).
The shepherd/ sheep analogy continues with Jesus statement that his sheep are secure because of the power and character of the Shepherd.
Jesus says, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 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. 30 I and the Father are one" (John 10:28-29).
Because Jesus, the good shepherd, is the one who gives eternal life, it is impossible for His sheep ever to perish – he says “no one will snatch them out of my hand” (10:28). That includes robbers (10:8), thieves (10:10), wolves (10:12), and no other entity in existence (Romans 8:35-39). His sheep are secure because of who the Father is, and who the Shepherd is, not because of what the sheep do, or don’t do.
Note that this does not mean those who believe in Jesus will be spared from all earthly disasters and pain, but that we shall be saved regardless of what earthly disaster and pain come our way.
Two huge observations:
1) Eternal security is a real thing. It is a real thing because of the power and character of the Father and Shepherd.
2) Eternal life comes to us as a gift, not as wages we earn (see Eph. 2:8-9). The wages we earn are sin and death. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23)
If you have believed in Jesus, you are his sheep. He is your shepherd. He will protect your soul, allowing nobody or nothing to snatch you from His grasp.
Our job, and it does take work – time and effort – is to learn to recognize His voice. The fact that you are reading this little devotional it a step in that direction!
Enjoy Walking with the Savior Today.
John