Secure in God's Hand

The Jews who heard these words were again divided. Many of them said, "He is demon-possessed and raving mad. Why listen to him?" But others said, "These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?"

 

Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon's Colonnade. 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."

 

Jesus answered, "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. 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.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

 

Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?"

 

"We are not stoning you for any good work," they replied, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God."

 

Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I have said you are "gods"'? If he called them 'gods,' to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside — what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father. But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father."

 

Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp. Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. There he stayed, and many people came to him. They said, "Though John never performed a sign, all that John said about this man was true." And in that place many believed in Jesus.

 

The last line of verse 28 really stood out to me. “No one can snatch them out of my hand.” I find this comforting, that no matter what, God is always holding onto us. He is constantly working for our good, even when we do not realize it. This is a good reminder for anytime, but especially when we think our lives are not going as they should. In verse 29 Jesus goes on to say “My father…is greater than all.” God is greater than anything this world can throw at us.

 

Be reminded that God will never let you go, and no one can snatch you out of His hand!

Dear God, Thank you for this promise you give us. Help it to bring us comfort today and always. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

 

Laura Powers is a part-time student at the University of Illinois-Springfield, majoring in Communication, minoring in Management, and working full-time as an office assistant. She is a member of Jerome United Methodist Church in Springfield.