“THEY FOLLOW ME!”

John 10:22-30                                   (ESV)

“[22] At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, [23] and JESUS was walking IN THE TEMPLE, in the colonnade of Solomon. [24] So the Jews gathered around HIM and said to HIM, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the CHRIST, tell us plainly.” [25] JESUS answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in MY FATHER’S name bear witness about ME, [26] but you DO NOT BELIEVE because YOU ARE NOT AMONG MY SHEEP. [27] MY sheep hear MY voice, and I know them, and “THEY FOLLOW ME”. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of MY hand. [29] MY FATHER, WHO has given them to ME, is GREATER THAN ALL, and no one is able to snatch them out of the FATHER’S hand. [30] I and the FATHER are ONE.””

Walking where we are LED (by the SPIRIT OF GOD!) is so very important, but there are times when we become so busy that we cannot SEE where we NEED to go!  Could it be that we at times get so caught up in a preconceived idea of how “we believe” our lives should be unfolding that we FAIL to SEE the HOLY SPIRIT is calling us elsewhere?  “The Jews” were so enamored with the observations of “this world” that they did not SEE GOD IN THE FLESH walking among them.  

Placing emphasis on what “this world” tries to make us believe are important is a good way to miss what GOD has for us.  For instance, many people find it “easiest” to “eat what they are fed”, never realizing that HEAVENLY manna is available for them, IF THEY would only select from a different menu!  JESUS told “the Jews” that “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in MY FATHER’S name bear witness about ME, but you DO NOT BELIEVE because YOU ARE NOT AMONG MY SHEEP.”  Were they DEAF to the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES?  Could they NOT SEE???

JESUS the CHRIST walked on earth for 33+ years.  Even HIS CHOSEN disciples had to experience HIS seeming desertion (after HIS crucifixion)  for a period of time.  It is SO VERY important that we KNOW WHO we are following that we will not be led astray by the cares of “this world”!  KNOWING WHO we are FOLLOWING is vital, for ONLY HE knows where we need to go!  

JESUS told “the Jews” during this time that “HIS disciples” KNEW HIM, and “THEY FOLLOW ME”!  Will we (HIS disciples) ever listen to another voice?  Without a doubt, because we are still in “this world”!  But KNOWING the JOY and PEACE that ONLY comes from JESUS has NO comparison.  Only WHEN we know HIM are we able to FOLLOW HIM!  Not because we are worthy, but because JESUS, our CREATOR, says “THEY FOLLOW ME”!!!