My Shepherd

(John 10:19-30)

Many people are irritated at what Jesus has been saying in public. Recently, they heard Him say He has power over life and death. "He can choose to lay down his life and pick it up again, he says! It sounds like he thinks he can rise from the dead!" one man says, vehemently.

"Is he greater than God?" asks another. "How can he make such arrogant claims?"

"And here he is again, walking in the portico! Make him be clear about his claims! Let him come right out and tell us if he is here to overthrow the government. Does he plan to establish the power of Israel over the Romans?" They rush to Jesus, surrounding Him and attempting to corner Him. "How long will you keep us in suspense!" they demand."Are you the Christ or not?"

"I have already told you and you don't believe Me," answers the Lord. "The works I do in My Father's name testify to Me. But you don't believe Me because you are not one of My sheep." As Jesus says this, He catches the eye of one man in the crowd. The man looks stunned by what Jesus just said and falls back from the crowd. Jesus' analogy has hit a little too "close to home" for him.

This man had, on occasion, stolen sheep from his neighbor. He had observed that the sheep move as one flock, in chorus to the song of the shepherd. Their master needed only to call them with his sweet, familiar tones and the entire flock would turn heads toward him. This thief knew this all too well from one very embarrassing moment a while back. He was carrying a lamb away from the flock of an absent shepherd when the master, from a distance, began his song. Aroused by the good shepherd's voice, the lamb sprang from the thief's arms and excitedly frolicked toward its master.

The man remains in meditation while the crowd continues to harass Jesus, Who calmly speaks: "My sheep hear My voice and I know them, and they follow Me." Jesus' eyes are fixed on the thief and I see in them compassion and longing. Jesus has given him "that look"-- the same look I, myself, have seen so many times. ---that look that says, "I have so much to give you if you would only receive it!"

"I will give them eternal life and they will never perish...." Jesus is speaking with a kindly voice and his eyes have not lifted from the thief. "...No one will snatch them out of My hands." By now the man's eyes have filled with tears and he drops to his knees behind the crowd.

Jesus' words are infuriating the crowd because He seems not to be at all threatened by their now violent behavior. "He's not even listening to us! Is he crazy?" They yell and continue to crowd in closer.

"My Father Who has given them to Me is greater than all and no one can snatch them from the Father's hand. I and the Father---- We are One."

Though the crowd seems tumultuous and seething with anger, Jesus just passes right through them and walks down the steps from Solomon's portico where a dozen or more children catch sight of Him and go running up the steps to greet Him.