John 10:22-30

1) Silence, Stillness and Centering before God (2 minutes) 

2) Scripture Reading: John 10:22-30
 ²² Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, ²³ and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. ²⁴ The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

 ²⁵ Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for 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 can 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.”

3) Devotional:

Happy Birthday Zack. . .today, my oldest son turned 20!  From the day we found out that Debbie was expecting, I enjoyed getting close to her belly and talking to him.  For some of you, that may seem weird, but for me, it began a connection that continues to this day.  My son knows my voice.  When he was born, there were so many noises swirling around him.  Yet when I got close to his crib and began to talk - he instinctively looked my way.  The sound of my voice brought comfort to him.  With all that was unknown  - my voice, and that of my wife, were the constants in his young life. 

Now - twenty years later - he still looks for the sound of our voices.  Even half a world away in Australia - thanks to the wonders of 21st century technology (Skype), when he gets a little homesick (I hope) and needs to hear the sound of home - he can call.  He knows my voice.  Now, I can't say that for his new roommate - who I've never met.

In this passage, as the gatekeeper, Jesus draws a distinction between those who merely believe and those who REALLY believe.  Those who REALLY believe, those who belong to Him - "His sheep" - know His voice.  They heard His teaching and followed Him.  They hung on every word - both spoken and lived out.  Even if they didn't quite understand everything, they knew He was worth listening to and following.  The way He lived, His actions, his miracles identified Him as the Son of God.  They trusted Him.  It was that simple. . . unfortunately, many of the Jews could not embrace Him.

People who give intellectual assent to the things of God, but have not experienced His deep abiding love in their life, that is. . . heard His voice, have a hard time hearing or sensing His presence.  How can they?  It's like asking my son's new roommate - who I've never met or spoken to, pick my voice out of a group of people speaking.  It's very unlikely.  When we become true followers of Jesus, His sheep, the Holy Spirit peels back the shroud from our eyes and removes the "wax" from our ears, enabling us to see and receive all that God has for us, as His children.  We may not understand everything we read, or comprehend everything that happens around us, but we know that our Father is in control.  He's the gatekeeper. . . the shepherd.  That's His job. 

4) Questions to Consider:

Can you think of a time when you clearly heard/experienced God's voice?  How did it come to you?  How did he lead you?  If you can't remember a time when you've experienced God's presence - why don't you stop right now, and ask God through His Holy Spirit to remove the shroud or unplug your ears so you can see Him for who He really is. . . your shepherd!  Decide today to "be a sheep". . . BAAAH!! 

5) Prayer:

Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth and the Life, you are the gatekeeper - and my Shepherd.  Help me Lord to follow you - to be a sheep.  Teach me Lord to hear your voice - and to see your hand at work in my life.  Thank you for loving me the way you do.  In Jesus name.  Amen!

Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)