The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 1 June 2023 – Listen To The Voice Of Jesus
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TOPIC: Listen To The Voice Of Jesus
READ: John 10:22-42 (KJV)
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.
24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
30 I and my Father are one.
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,
40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.
41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.
42 And many believed on him there.
THE MESSAGE:
Our text tells of Jesus’ encounter with the Jews. Jesus went to the temple and the Jews immediately gathered round him saying,“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” (vv. 23-24). Jesus informed them that He had already answered their question through the works that bear witness of Him. He stated that they were not prepared to listen to his answer because they were not among His sheep (v.26). Listening to Jesus involves both hearing His voice and responding in obedience. Those who are His sheep know His voice and follow Him; they follow because He alone is the Good Shepherd who gives security, peace, joy and abundant life.
You may have ‘heard’ Jesus calling you, but have you ‘listened’ and responded to Him in faith? Jesus promised that those sheep that listen to Him have eternal life, shall never perish and nothing can snatch them away from His Hand(v.28). Whose voice are you listening to? Who are you obeying? As we begin a new month today, draw near to Him and listen closely to His voice. Nothing will cut you away from His divine promises.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to always listen to your voice and obey you faithfully in all situations. Amen.
