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
The tension is thick in this interaction between Jesus and the Jews who surround him in the temple. They're fed up. They tell Jesus to stop being mysterious. They want him to state clearly whether or not he is the Messiah. Jesus replies, "I have told you, and you do not believe." Jesus challenges that if they would only open their eyes and see what he's been up to, they would see that he belongs to the Father. If they would only open their ears to hear his voice, they would understand that they could belong to his sheep. Their refusal to become part of his flock makes it impossible for them to believe. Jesus isn't trying to keep them in suspense. His words and actions speak loud and clear about his relationship to the Father. Jesus invites all who hear to join his flock. All it takes to belong and believe is to listen to his voice and to allow yourself to be known by him.
Prayer
Gracious God, open our ears to hear your Son's voice. Thank you for his invitation to belong to his flock. Strengthen our faith in Jesus as our Shepherd and Messiah, and teach us to serve others as his disciples. Amen.