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22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 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. 30 I and the Father are one.” (John 10:22-30 NIV)
Welcome to Monday, dear Friend! May God's grace be with you and bless you with the outcomes you seek and need! I ask prayers for our son-in-law, Eric Cortez, who's in Baylor Scott & White Lakeway Hospital with abdominal pain. He was taken by ambulance on Friday morning after a night of constant vomiting and doctors thought it was food poisoning; tests have not shown what it is. Please pray for his healing and comfort for his wife, Saraí and daughter Sarita.
I have on my bucket list to return back to the Holy Land and find a real life Israeli shepherd tending his sheep and photograph him and his flock. I would love to converse with him I would love to hear his take on being a shepherd and to see what words of wisdom he might have about being a shepherd. When on our first visit there near a tourist attraction there was a man who owned a large lamb who was charging for tourists to hold while they had their picture taken. The lamb seemed to love its role and loved the attention and being held by folks.
During the Festival of Dedication in Jerusalem, Jesus is walking in the courts of the temple when He is asked, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." When was Jesus not asked this question? Since the beginning of His ministry, Jesus made it clear that He was indeed the Messiah and so His response to the Jewish leaders was, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep." And then Jesus uses this opportunity to share more about His sheep. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand."
This passage, nestled between confrontation and clarity, reminds us that Easter isn't only about a victorious moment in history—it's about a relationship that carries eternal security. We are held. We are known. And nothing—not fear, failure, death, or doubt—can remove us from His grasp.
Jesus’ resurrection isn’t just the end of death; it’s the guarantee of His ongoing presence. It means the Shepherd has defeated the wolves. The grave couldn’t hold Him, and it won’t hold us.
In an anxious world full of uncertainties, Jesus’ words are a rock under our feet: “No one will snatch them out of my hand.” The nail-pierced hands are now the safest place we could ever be.
PRAYER: Risen Shepherd, thank You for calling us by name and holding us in Your eternal care. As we walk through life’s valleys and victories, help us listen for Your voice and trust in Your grasp. Let our hearts rest in the assurance that we are forever Yours. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Take time today to quiet your mind and listen for the Shepherd’s voice—then follow Him in trust, knowing that nothing can separate you from His love.
I. love you and I thank God for you!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
