Day 18 - Kung-Fu Grip!
- Pastor b.Side
- Mar 18
- 3 min read
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” - John 10:28
Often, we believe that God’s greatness is shown through miracles. While this is true, there are subtler ways to see God's greatness. Jesus demonstrated His greatness by showing how He influences His followers' lives. He said that God's true people are like sheep who recognize His voice as “the Good Shepherd.” They hear the Word of God about Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah of Israel and believe. This faith supernaturally inspires repentance, helping true Christians follow Jesus instead of “self.” How does this happen? Jesus gives eternal life, takes hold of those who have it, and never lets go!
“And I give them eternal life…”
How can Jesus grant eternal life unless He possesses it Himself? Jesus proved He has the authority to give eternal life as the Creator of life—God in the flesh. The Gospel accounts are full of stories of Jesus healing people with terminal illnesses, publicly raising others from the dead, and raising Himself from the dead. How can Jesus exercise authority over life in this way unless He is God?
“Neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand…”
Jesus promised He would never lose His sheep. Death cannot separate His true followers from Him. Even though they departed this earthly life long ago, Moses and Elijah were seen alive and speaking with Jesus during His transfiguration. The Apostle John saw the church, along with Old Testament saints and Tribulation saints who were martyred, standing in victory and praising Jesus in the Book of Revelation. Although Jesus’ body was mutilated and buried, He was resurrected in glory. The condition and quality of our earthly life, as well as how it ends, do not affect God’s ability to fulfill His promises. That truth has never changed.
Human influence and interference cannot separate His people from Him either. Peter’s threefold denials during Jesus’ trial demonstrate that our shortcomings and failures do not surpass the love of God that keeps us in His embrace. Isaiah 53:6 reminds us, “We all, like sheep, go astray.” Nevertheless, Jesus’ sheep are forever in His grip, no matter how far we may seem to wander. The true people of God are His forever because of His eternally unchanging greatness.
How can we see God's greatness in this life? Think about all the failures, unbelief, persecution, and opposition we face. Despite all of this, we keep walking with Him and somehow find hope that helps us push through difficulties. Where do you think that strength comes from? The fact that Jesus has kept His church united for so long through His Word, despite its many issues, is proof of the greatness of His unchanging grasp for eternity!
Prayer for today
Our heavenly Father, we are incredibly thankful to recognize that Your greatness is both the source of our salvation and the means by which it is accomplished. We acknowledge that Your eternally unchanging greatness, revealed in Jesus, is how we are saved from sin, death, and hell. Nothing more, nothing less. Help us remember this truth when we are tempted to doubt our standing with You because of our shortcomings. Help us respond with gratitude for the eternal position from which You bless us, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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