(John 10:27-30)

Jesus said:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. “I and My Father are one.” (NKJV)

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We are reminded in this Gospel of Jesus as the Shepherd.  A shepherd has a relationship with his sheep.  The sheep know him and follow him.  They feel loved and protected.  God the Father, has given us to His Son, Jesus.  We are the responsibility of the Son to watch over us and protect us from harm.  God has also given us free will and we may choose to accept Jesus as our Shepherd or deny Him.  There are many in the world who disavow Jesus and God.  For non-believers, there are many excuses for not believing.  Many ask for proof.  Are the Gospels not proof enough?  Do we really believe that men and women 2000 years ago would carry on a lie when it meant they would be condemned to death?  Whatever is asked of in Jesus’ name will be delivered.  This is the promise.  We must be patient and listen.  We must do more than listen.  We must actively listen and hear!  To hear, we must open our hearts and hear with the ears of our heart.  Our minds are immature and not capable of fully grasping the concept of our Loving God.  This is why we have faith.  A means to just put aside all doubts and accept because it just feels right!  We believe because we experience God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives, thoughts, words and hopefully our deeds.  Our world is in trouble.  Now, more than ever we need Jesus in our lives.  We need to ask for protection.

A closing prayer…

Lord Jesus, You watch over Your flock and keep us from harm.

Lord Jesus, You listen to our pleas and respond.

Lord Jesus, You lift us up when we have fallen.

May Almighty God bless us and keep us safe.  May He send the Holy Spirit to open our ears so that we may hear the call to be ministers of the Word.

Amen.