John 10:27-28 (ESV) -- My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

There is a guy in my church who works with cattle every day. He’s a farm hand. He also rode bulls for a time in his life. When you shake this guy’s hand, you get the sense really quickly that he could crush your hands. They are strong. 

His strong grip is a pointer to another One whose grip is strong. Our Lord Jesus makes a promise to His people that should provide comfort and assurance to us. We see it in our passage today. 

Jesus says in John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

The sheep of His fold hear His voice. They know the call of the Good Shepherd. For that reason, they follow Him when He calls out. The sheep hear and know His voice. Then Jesus says He gives His sheep eternal life. Notice here that it is a gift given to them. He gives it. This eternal life Christians have is a gift from God. The result of this gift is we will never perish. 

The greatest promise emerges at the end of the passage. Jesus says no one will snatch us from His hand. His grip is so fierce, there is nothing or nobody that can threaten to take us away from Him. He doesn’t lose sheep. This is a promise to the people of God that He will hold us fast. The Lord protects His people from all enemies that seek to lead us away. We can take comfort as Christians today that Jesus holds us in His hands, and those hands are strong. 

Reflection & Journal: 
- How does Jesus give His sheep eternal life?
- What effect should Jesus’ promise of assurance give us as Christians?
- Why is it good for believers to remind ourselves of these truths regularly?

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