Plain as Day

S - "One day he was walking in the part of the temple known as Solomon’s Porch, and the Jews gathered all around him. They said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly!” Jesus answered: I have told you, and you refused to believe me. The things I do in my Father’s name show who I am. But since you are not my sheep, you don’t believe me. My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all. No one can snatch them from his hands, and I am one with the Father." According to John 10:23-30

 

O - This exchange between Jesus and the religious of his day exposes one of the beautiful dynamics of God's Kingdom.  Jesus isn't just speaking with words but with his actions and interface with people and circumstances.  His sheep know his voice and his voice is more than words.  It is his activity, unmistakable and unending, in the lives of people.  One last note: the Jews didn't "miss" they "refused".  Religion is always scaring people with the thought that they will unintentionally miss God, his voice and his desires.  Jesus consistently clarifies this issue.  He and his Father are constantly working, communicating, loving the world.  Humans don't miss - they refuse.  

 

A - Theological training teaches that if you're not hearing words you're not hearing God. Why should it surprise any that heaven communicates with us the way we were made?  We humans communicate with each other on the basic 90/10 pattern (90% nonverbal and 10% words).  The beauty for me in being a follower, one of the sheep of his flock, is experiencing this type of communication again and again.  The result is life for today and forever … the irrepressible and vibrant eternal life which is Jesus.   

 

P - Lord who is forever life,

Am so very grateful for your active, ongoing love for all people of the world.  I accept your invitation to follow, to be one of your flock and the telling of who you are and what you're thinking.  For sheep and for children, the issue is always their proximity to another - the shepherd or their parents. Am glad to be consistently choosing to be near you … the experience of your person and presence.

Glad to be in your fold,

Steve