On the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Psalm and the Gospel reading point us to the theme of Christ as the Good Shepherd. In other years, the Gospel for this Sunday consists of the first paragraphs of John 10. In those verses, Jesus focuses upon His identity as the Good Shepherd, upon His laying down His life and taking it up again for the sake of His flock. In this year's selection from John 10:22-30, our Lord focuses upon the application to His followers. Key verses are John 10:27-28 (ESV) where Jesus says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."
These Gospel verses emphasize the dominion of the Good Shepherd over His sheep. His divine rule is assuring. Many Christians have spoken about assurance, but sometimes they have seemed confused about where Christian assurance lies. Some locate assurance in church structures or human ceremonies. Some locate assurance in good behavior. Some others locate assurance in emotions or feelings. While appreciating church tradition, moral conduct, and personal feelings may be helpful at times, such human factors are not the source of true Christian assurance. The basic foundation of Christian assurance is Jesus Christ Himself and in His gospel expressed in Holy Scripture. Our verses from John 10 point us to this foundation. Faithful followers of Christ cannot be snatched from His hands. Our true assurance is in the eternal Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, God the Son, our Lord, our Savior, our Good Shepherd!
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