October 1, 2020
John 10:22-30
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.”
CONSIDER THIS
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
What does it mean to listen to the voice of Jesus? On the one hand, I know a lot of people who consider it ridiculous that Jesus would actually talk to people today. On the other hand, I know a lot of people who insist Jesus talks to them constantly and about everything from what to wear to where to go on vacation.
What do you think? Does Jesus speak to people today? Does he speak to you? Here’s my understanding. Jesus speaks through his Word and Jesus speaks through the Holy Spirit. So how do we know if what we are hearing is actually from Jesus and not just what we want to believe Jesus is saying to us? Here are a few guidelines to consider.
First, is what you are hearing consistent with what Jesus has already said as recorded in the Gospels? If what you are hearing is inconsistent with the revelation of Scripture, then you are probably not hearing from Jesus. One of the great gifts of the Gospels is that we are given a trustworthy record from which to understand the kinds of things Jesus says. Does what you are hearing sound like what Jesus might say? Second, does what you are hearing create anxiety within you? If so, you might want to question it. The words of Jesus carry peace. They do not create confusion and anxiety. In fact, a sign that Jesus is speaking to us may well be an abiding sense of peace that doesn’t even make sense to us. Third, does what you are hearing from Jesus find resonance with the discernment of other believers whom you trust?
In my own experience, this conviction is ever deepening: Jesus is always speaking. Why do I believe this? Because every time I manage to get really still and attentive and find myself humbly submitted to him, I hear his voice. Here’s what I don’t understand about myself. Why am I not constantly finding this place and posture of listening? I don’t have good answer.
The great Methodist missionary to India, E. Stanley Jones, often referenced his practice of going to his “listening post.” Here’s what I like about that. It demonstrates expectation. I find the more I actually expect to hear from Jesus, the more I hear from him.
THE PRAYER
Abba Father, we thank you for your Son, Jesus, whose word is truth. Thank you that he continues to speak through his recorded words, and thank you that he speaks to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Increase our expectation of hearing his voice. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
THE QUESTIONS
1. What do you think? Does Jesus speak to people today?
2. How are you cultivating the practice of listening to Jesus?
3. What is he saying to you these days?
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For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com
2 Responses
Does Jesus speak through our circumstances? It’s very hard to phrase my question in words as I’m in deep thought right now. I want to know
J.d.. I believe you hit it out of the ball park with this one, thanks.
I know with certainty that Jesus still speaks to his (sheep) people today, using the methods you described.
I arise early every morning and spend an average of an hour alone with the triune God. I don’t hear an audible voice , but as you stated, I have peace and a deeper understanding of the events unfolding around us. Scriptures come to mind and reinforces the “peace that surpasses all understanding “.
What Jesus seems to be saying to me: Brace yourself for what is soon going to take place. God is going to renew his Church. There will be pain because his people have fallen into the trap of making friends with the world. This is something John warned us not to do in his epistle 1 John 2: 15-17. Also we should strive to live a life worthy of our calling as laid out in Ephesians 4:1-16. The reason renewal has been delayed is that it will require the same paradigm that existed in the early Church, they were unified as a family, not as an organization. They relied totally on the Holy Spirit for their power, not on their wealth and societal position. They operated from the position of weakness not privilege. I do not believe that we are willing to make these changes on our own therefore God will do it for us.