John 10:28

“Jesus is not done yet. “I literally give my sheep eternal life,” he adds, “and as a result they will never die. What’s more, no one will ever snatch them from my hand.”  John 10:28 EFP 

This passage brings the whole crux of Jesus’ message into focus. The analogy of “sheep and shepherds” is clarified so even those who are feigning confusion cannot overlook what Jesus is trying to say. The sheep represent people. Those who respond to his message and those who are apathetic or even opposed to His claims.

To those who believe, those who move beyond the hearing into a relationship, he promises eternal life. This happens as a result of his willingness to surrender his life to save his sheep, a fact he states in the previous texts. And just in case there is a lack of clarity, he adds, “They will never die.”

What does that mean? Never die? Does that imply that life continues after death? That can’t be the concept, since in fact that would mean death has already taken place in order for there to be a transition into the “afterlife.” Is it somehow connected to the other verse which is both feared and misunderstood by many? “No one will ever snatch them from my hand,” is a wonderful thought, but it is fraught with challenges. Is this “once saved, always saved”? This thought brings both hope and trepidation to many on both sides of the divide.

In brief, I understand Jesus message to be “my sheep are my sheep,” or better stated “my people are my people.” Period. As long as I believe and remain in Jesus I am His. I may stumble. I may wander. I may even rebel in moments of my life. But I am His child—his people. Furthermore, as long as my faith remains anchored in Him, no one will snatch them me away from Him. He remains faithful even when I fall short (2Timothy 2:13). That is assurance. Not a pretense for me to live my life for myself. But I digress. That is a topic for another day. Today and every day, I choose to live my life for God.