Sunday 11 May 2025
"My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand." (vs 27-28)
Background
In a pastoral community sheep are a go-to metaphor – whether in biblical times, or (for me) here in 21st-century Cumbria. Sheep need three things – food, guidance and protection. We are no different and, as Psalm 23 tells us, we receive all three from God. The blessing from today’s reading is to hear that Jesus doesn’t just give us the essentials for this life but all that is necessary for life beyond time.
This discourse comes as the result of some hostile and hard questioning from those who gathered around Jesus over his title of Messiah. It seems strange to us that they thought Jesus ambiguous and evasive (v. 24) in view of his works and words (v. 25) yet there are times that we don’t understand or when we can’t see things from Christ’s perspective. And how many of us have questions we want to ask when we get to heaven?
In our wrestling and questioning we mustn’t miss the message in the heart of this story – that, even if we don’t understand or can’t see it, Christ offers us far more than the metaphoric lush pasture and cooling stream. Here is the truth: no one will take Christ from us or us from him – no one. Let that be enough and let us rest in that for today.
To Ponder:
- How do you hear Jesus’ voice and how are you following him today?
- How does it make you feel to be reminded that whatever happens to you in this life no one can snatch you out of God’s hands?
Prayer
Father God, thank you for your care. Forgive us when we allow those things unknown to us to blind us to the truth of what Christ our shepherd provides for us. Help us to rest in him, and in him, to rest in you. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd David Newlove
David is Co-Superintendent in the North Cumbria Circuit. He is also an agricultural chaplain and the Mission Area Lead for Cumbria for the North West England District.