Trust Me - Week 3: My Sheep Hear My Voice
It’s Still Easter! He is risen!
The Season of Easter offers us a chance to experience the implications of the Resurrection and to trust Jesus as we follow him. In fact, that is the title of our sermon series for the season of Easter: Trust Me. This series answers the important question, "Jesus is risen, now what?"
Today, we will read a challenging passage of Scripture that contains words from Jesus that can inspire us to trust him fully. He proclaims that those who belong to Him will hear his voice.
What sounds imply belonging to us?
It could be a familiar song, the sounds of a familiar amusement park, or an old hymn at church. Voices and sounds that speak to our sense of belonging are deeply felt.
I have been thinking a lot about my mom this weekend. She passed away eight years ago, but sometimes it feels like yesterday. The weirdest thing happened to me the other day when I was thinking about her. I forgot what her voice sounded like.
I have to admit, I panicked a bit. Fortunately, I don't delete many family videos and photos off my phone, and Facebook never does, so I found some videos where she was speaking.
That was when I realized that even though I hadn't heard her speak for so long, I knew her voice from anywhere.
Do you ever think about all those other people who hear the same song that brings back memories for you?
They recognize the "voice" just like you do.
Which brings me to another question. Christians focus on Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Light (his words). For those of us who follow Jesus, we fully expect to be able to hear his voice, right?
But what if we can't comprehend what that even means? What do we do about close friends, colleagues, relatives, and others who don't share our faith?
This is precisely what we will be reading about and reflecting on today.
Now, more than ever, we need to expand our idea of what it means to hear the voice of Jesus.
WE CAN TRUST THAT JESUS’ VOICE CALLS ALL THAT ARE HIS
John 10:22-30
22 At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.
The setting: Festival of Dedication (Hannukah), Jesus is questioned.
24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah,[a] tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me, 26 but you do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep.
A word about “The Jews” and how John is often problematic
The Shepherd motif and Jesus’ troubling response.
27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.
The concept of eternal life in Jesus’ first-century audience
No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, in regard to what he has given me, is greater than all,[b] and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”
The assurance that we are held by God, even when we stray.
This passage has troubling aspects, grounded in the community that prioritized this Gospel. The Johannine community was isolated from many other Christian groups because the gospel they prioritized was strange and would eventually be considered gnostic.
In other words, it was full of private conversations and commentary, plus things didn't happen in the same sequence as the other gospels.
Not to mention, there is evidence to suggest from early Christian historians that this group was also excluded from the synagogue, which left them wary and with a feeling of persecution from all sides.
That being said, there are things to be learned from this passage that we can take to heart.
What Do We Take Away From This?
1. We hear Jesus’ voice when we desire to be like Him.
WE CAN TRUST THAT JESUS’ VOICE CALLS ALL THAT ARE HIS
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