TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about 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 will 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.”

John 10:25–30

DEVOTIONAL

by Stephanie Reloj

In 1963, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Martin Luther King Jr. stood firmly for the truth of racial equality and justice. Despite facing intense opposition, threats, and imprisonment, he did not waver in his conviction. His famous “I Have a Dream” speech delivered during the March on Washington became a defining moment, illustrating his unwavering commitment to truth and justice.

In our passage, Jesus revealed His identity and stirred both curiosity and outrage among the Jews. By calling Himself the Good Shepherd, Jesus was subtly hinting at His deity. This claim was radical, and it led some to think He was mad, while others were intrigued due to His miracles and wanted to hear more.

When the Jews gathered around Him and asked directly if He was the Messiah, Jesus delivered a severe judgment. He stated that those gathered were not part of His flock, implying that if He were indeed the Messiah, they would not enter heaven. This was a stark and unsettling declaration.

But Jesus went even further, making a claim that enraged the Jews. Not only did He not deny being the Messiah, but He also declared His divinity. Jesus referred to God as His Father and claimed oneness with the Father. This assertion was blasphemous to the Jews, prompting them to pick up stones to kill Him.

Yet Jesus did not shrink back. He made His claim even clearer, affirming that He was the Son of God, that God was His Father, and that the Father was in Him, and He was in the Father. This bold proclamation intensified their anger, leading them to attempt to arrest Him, though Jesus managed to escape.

This passage highlights the truth that Jesus is God. His declaration of being one with the Father is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. Jesus is not just a teacher or a prophet; He is God in the flesh, the Messiah who came to save us.

 

PRAYER