My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” vss. 27-28
John 10:25-30
Some of us know the hymn “Blessed Assurance” well. It was a favorite at camps and revivals and was regularly sung in many congregations. The tune is familiar and easy to sing, and many can recall its opening lyrics: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, Oh what a foretaste of glory divine.” It’s an evocative song, one that touches the heart, but when we look closely at the words of the first verse we realize that it doesn’t quite match the sentiments of John’s gospel. Jesus really isn’t mine – he doesn’t belong to me.
On the contrary John reports that Jesus has a claim on us. We belong to him! Now that may seem like a petty distinction, but it’s really not. The minute we begin to think that we’re the ones in charge of our salvation and that Jesus belongs to us, we’ve turned the gospel on its head. But to say that we are safe in the hands of Jesus is an amazingly comforting sentiment. Today we’re celebrating Mother’s Day in many of our churches and it’s a fitting observance. We can’t say that all moms love like Jesus – that’s pretty much of a stretch. But mothers most generally keep their children close to their hearts, and that is what Jesus does. We belong to him and he will never ever let us go!
Thought for the Day: What gives me certainty in my faith?
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