April 15, 2022 – Friday
John 10:26-29 NIV
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.
Comment.
In the verses above, Jesus is speaking in reply to a question asked while Jesus was walking in Solomon’s Colonnade in the temple courts during the Festival of Dedication, Hanukkah. There were Jews gathered around Him and they asked (v24), How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. Jesus began His answer by saying (v25), I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me.
They do not believe. Even though they have witnessed or have been made aware of His works that He has done in His Father’s name, they still do not believe. As a result, they are not His sheep because they do not believe. One thing for sure, His sheep believe.
Question: Can you believe Jesus is the Son of God, died on the cross for your sins, and rose on the third day without repenting of your sins? I do not believe it is possible to become a follower of Jesus without being sorrowful about your sins. All the gospels tell us that Jesus was crucified between two others, but only Luke tells of the conversation Jesus had with one of them. In Luke 23 one of those crucified with Him hurled insults. The other rebuked him (v40-41) saying, Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like repentance to me. And in v42, we read of his belief, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus reply in the next verse tells us he became one of Jesus’ sheep, Truly I tell you today you will be with me in paradise.
After addressing who His sheep are in the verses of the day Jesus did answer their question in verse 30 with this simple statement, I and the Father are one. Then they sought to stone Him.
Bottom Line: I cannot conceive believing in Christ and submitting to Him without repenting of my sins. In the gospel of John, we will not find the words repent or repentance, yet without question they are implied over and over.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Without what Your Son did on the cross, there would be no salvation for us. Yet He did die on the cross, sinless, as a ransom for all of our sins. He took our place on the cross. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek