John 10:22-30 (NRSV)
Read John 10:22-30 on biblegateway.com
Verse 22At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, Verse 23and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. Verse 24So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Verse 25Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; Verse 26but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. Verse 27My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. Verse 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. Verse 29What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. Verse 30The Father and I are one."
Devotion
What do you expect the Messiah to do for you? Keep you safe and prosperous? Free you from foreign oppression, as Jesus’ contemporaries did? Messianic hopes were not limited to the first century. These expectations cover about any area of life we would like him to change for us. But our Lord’s agenda and ours may not coincide. Then we have to follow Jesus or become sheep of another fold.
Jesus calls us to love our neighbor, to be healed, to receive a relationship with the Father, to accept him as Messiah, the one who gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Following Jesus may sometimes result in persecution or even death in some places. Spreading the Good News of Jesus is not always appreciated. Yet for 20 centuries, Christians have announced that the Messiah has come.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, where you lead, I will follow. May my expectations not conflict with or go beyond your promises. Amen.