"My sheep listen to my voice"

Monday musical meditations on God's good news

An opening prayer:

Jesus, shepherd of the sheep,

Who your Father’s flock does keep,

Safe we wake, and safe we sleep,

Guarded still by you.

In your promise firm we stand;

None can take us from your hand.

Speak— we hear— at your command,

We will follow you.

By your blood our souls were bought;

By your life salvation wrought;

By Your light our feet are taught,

Lord to follow you.

Father draw us to your Son;

We with joy will follow on

Till the work of grace is done,

There to live with you.

We in robes of glory dressed,

Join the assembly of the blest,

Gathered to eternal rest

In the fold with you. Amen.

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.”

helpful notes on John 10:22–25

helpful notes on John 10:26–30

Jesus lives!
If we belong to him, he says, it is because his Father gave us to him. When did he do this for you? What does it mean to you today?

BWV 112 (YouTube, "The Lord Is My Faithful Shepherd")
Jesus shepherding us ... what could be more comforting? More important?
When enemies threaten us, his presence with us is especially important.
We sing with the choir: "It is the Lord's Holy Spirit who makes me light at heart."
And we savor this beautiful version of Psalm 23.