It seems quite amazing to us, that the people who were around at the time of Jesus couldn’t see what was in front of them. Here was the Messiah, the one they had been longing for so fervently, living among them, showing them God’s ways. And yet they couldn’t see it
John 10:22-30
Jesus Is Rejected
22 That winter, Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Temple Festival. 23 One day he was walking in that part of the temple known as Solomon’s Porch, 24 and the people gathered all around him. They said, “How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly!”
25 Jesus answered:
I have told you, and you refused to believe me. The things I do by my Father’s authority show who I am. 26 But since you are not my sheep, you don’t believe me. 27 My sheep know my voice, and I know them. They follow me, 28 and I give them eternal life, so that they will never be lost. No one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father gave them to me, and he is greater than all others. No one can snatch them from his hands, 30 and I am one with the Father.
Imagining their questions:
We wanted to know, once and for all.
Who was this man?
He went around saying the things that only God could say
Who does he think he is?
Does he think he’s God?
Is he,
perhaps could he be,
the Messiah?
The one we’ve been waiting for?
But surely we’d know,
it would be obvious,
we wouldn’t have to ask,
oh, I so want to know.
I have to know for myself.
And he starts talking about sheep.
What do I know about sheep?
But then what do I know about God?
I’m not his sheep?
What does that mean?
I don’t know him,
I don’t know his voice
I don’t recognise him amongst the others.
But I can get to know him
follow him,
learn his voice,
his call,
his ways.
Then I will be safe,
find that security
that I long for,
know God,
find some of the answers,
be at one with God
O Lord,
how I long for that.
I come,
I listen,
I rest in the safety
that is you
