January 16
John 10.22-30
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
There’s an old movie with a message of gaining a level of maturity and gaining a sense of self from several years ago. It was called Tommy Boy. He was learning to be a salesman to save the company after his Dad died. When a potential customer wanted a guarantee on the box. Tommy reflected with him why there needs to be a guarantee. A guarantee is to make the customer feel good. But it doesn’t make the product any good.
Jesus gives his words here. They come in the form of a call, that we hear his voice and follow. They come as a statement of promise, that he gives eternal life. And the guarantee that comes with it is that he calls, and his Father calls. There is nothing that can change it. No guarantee on a box. Simply a statement that it is true.
The Jews around him were looking for a better guarantee. Show us more plainly. Give us more signs. Jesus says, I am the sign. He stands there. He calls and welcomes. But they want more.
Often people around us want more proof that our faith is real and that Jesus is real. Jesus says, “I am here. That’s all the proof you need.” Maybe we want better proof or bigger signs. For ourselves of for others. Jesus says that we have heard him call and we follow, that is what we needed. Others will hear him call and they can follow as well. That is what is needed.
Jesus has called us to follow. We hear the voice of Jesus and we keep following.
Song – Oceans
Prayer
You are the Sovereign One, O God, and rightly to be blessed. Your name shall ever be upon our lips. You have heard the poor and saved them from trouble. You have enlightened believers; their faces reflect your radiance. Living in your promised redemption, we gather to follow you, ruler of nations. Amen.