John 10:26-30

²⁶ But you aren’t believing because you are not from my sheep.

²⁷ My sheep are listening to my voice, I know them, and they follow me.

²⁸ I am also giving them permanent life, and they will certainly not be destroyed permanently. No one will snatch them out of my hand.

²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.

³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

safety in the Son

Jesus claimed a special relationship with God – a status never held by any other human being. On the basis of his Sonship, he could promise a new kind of safety for the sheep of his fold. He offered more than a mere good life. He promised a permanent life. We do not experience that permanent life today. We believe in Christ’s promise for a permanent life in the future, when he returns.

Death is still a reality for believers. But we have Christ’s promise of safety in Him, so that even though we die, we will not be destroyed permanently (οὐ μὴ ἀπόλωνται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα). Destruction by death still happens because of Adam’s sin. But resurrection to permanent life will happen because of the Son of God.

Lord, thank you for the safety we have in you.