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So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world Lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.” Mark 10:42
We are a society that celebrates power. Strength is worshiped, weakness is looked down upon. Nothing has really changed from when Jesus walked on earth. He points out that worldly leaders ‘lord’ it over those under them.
To ‘lord’ it over others really means that we show them no value. The leader who ‘lords’ it over others sends a message that they are far more valuable than anyone else.
Not only do they show they don’t value others, but they aren’t shy about it! They use every opportunity to show everyone that THEY are in charge. They flaunt their position like a huge banner for everyone to see.
Worldly leaders claim the decisions they make on ‘our behalf’ will help us. Yet, it seems like their promises rarely come true or benefit us in the way we hope. Every political season we hear the promises of better times ahead and we rarely see results.
When Jesus says there is power in service it means that the decisions of a servant-leader always make decisions that benefit us. We may not see it at first, but time proves purpose. Jesus can use the bad we experience to bring about good things.
The Father and I are one. John 10:30
If you want to know what God is like, see Jesus.
Throughout history there has been an effort to define God. If you read through the Old Testament, and believe it to be the word of God, you may be inclined to see a God of anger and wrath, a God that warns that disobedience will bring swift and deadly consequences.
Yet if you read deeper into those passages you see that the times of ‘God’s wrath’ were natural consequences of human behavior or the refusal to heed God’s warnings.
Jesus not only came to die for our sins, he came to show us the Father. Jesus makes the statement in John 10:30 that he and the Father are one. Not that they are the same person, but the same in essence and purpose.
Want to see what God is like?
He’s the good shepherd that seeks you out when you have wandered off.
He’s the one person you can count on to get down in the dirt with you when you’ve been caught in adultery (or any other sin).
He’s the one that will reach out and touch you when society rejects you (as he did with the lepers of his day).
He’s the one that calls you to himself with the storm is raging around you, and lifts you up when the walk across the water is too much.
Want to see God? See Jesus!
What other pictures of the Father do you see in the life of Jesus?
For my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. John 10:29
In the previous verse Jesus teaches that as our Good Shepherd we are safe in his hands. Now, as he continues His teaching about being our Good Shepherd he gives us further assurance of our security in Him.
We are not only safe because of Jesus power and strength, as our savior, we are safe because we are also in the Father’s hands and He is ‘more powerful than anyone else’. It’s easy here to miss a vital truth. Jesus says ‘no one’ not ‘nothing’.
We struggle with doubt. We struggle with fear. We struggle with anger. We are hurt by the church and hurt by those who don’t believe. But those are all actions from our main enemy, Satan. He will send anything in our way to pull us away from the Father and his eternal promises.
When we are in His hands, none of the tactics of Satan or his evil cohorts can pull us away. You are doubly protected, doubly loved, doubly cared for. Even when we stray away, He knows where we are and seeks us out. There is no reason to fear when the Father is near.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, John 10:28
We were watching a parade in the downtown area of a major metropolitan city one time when we were the unfortunate witnesses to a purse snatching. While we were in no danger, we saw the quickness of the act.
A young man casually walking down the street, reaching out and yanking a purse away from an unsuspecting woman, and running into the crowd. It was fast. It was totally unexpected. It caused the victim loss. We don’t know the outcome of the story. I wish I could say the young man was caught and the valuables recovered, that would be a happy ending to the story. But we all know the likelyhood of that is slim.
One day, Jesus was teaching those gathered around him. He likened His relationship with them as that of a good shepherd to his sheep. He loves His sheep. He knows the intricate personality quirks of each of His sheep, and in today’s verse we are reminded that he protects his sheep.
The enemy of our souls is like a chameleon. He camouflages himself in many ways to hide his presence and keep his victims unaware. He could attack with a critical word, or a broken relationship. He could attack with financial hardship or sudden health issues. He could attack with fear, worry or doubt. He attacks us daily with temptation to sin, and guilt when we give in. He has many weapons at his disposal to try to destroy us.
But Jesus reminds us that no one can snatch us away from His loving protection. Nothing can keep us from experiencing His peace here on earth of our eternal destiny. No matter what you are going through today. No matter what attacks you are enduring. No matter what failure has, once again, become a part of you.
The attacks of the enemy are often quick and unexpected. But Jesus, your Good Shepherd, will never allow you to become a victim of the enemy. He sees the attacks coming and helps you through them. You are secure in him.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
Distractions! They sneak up on you without warning. They impede your progress towards your intended goal for the day. They cause you to lose focus. They can lead you down a path you never intended. They can interrupt a perfectly good and productive day.
One of the reasons successful people reach their goals is their ability to remove, or at least work through the distractions of life. For some it’s finding a quiet place to work. For others it’s listening to background music. When they have something to focus on it can remove the effects of distractions.
Distractions are inevitable but they don’t have to be indestructible. Being focused can destroy, or at least minimize the effects of distractions.
Imagine being a sheep in the Middle East during Jesus’ time. At evening several shepherds and their flocks would gather together for safety. In the morning, amidst the noise and clamor of breakfast being made, camp coffee being prepared, sheep waking up from sleep, you hear a voice. Not just any voice. The voice of YOUR shepherd.
You’ve heard other voices but they didn’t affect you. But this voice, the voice of YOUR shepherd stirred you into action. Whatever your activities are today, whatever distractions kept you from finishing your list yesterday, today can be a new start.
Today you can have a new focus. Is your shepherd interested in your list? Of course. Does he want to see you succeed? Definitely! Then ask Him to help you through the distractions that want to hinder your way. He’s interested in every detail.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 