No One Will Snatch Them

Shepherding was a familiar picture in Israel. God called Himself the Shepherd of His people in Psalm 23 and Ezekiel 34, and He promised a shepherd from David's line. In John 10, Jesus said He fulfills those promises. He is the door of the sheepfold. Whoever enters through Him will be saved and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

He also said, I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. This was voluntary. No one would take His life from Him. He would lay it down by His own authority and take it up again, as the Father commanded. Jesus knows His own as the Father knows Him. He would also gather other sheep, not of this fold, into one flock with one shepherd.

At the Feast of Dedication in winter, the leaders surrounded Him and demanded a plain answer. Jesus said His works in the Father's name testify about Him. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. Then He said, I and the Father are one. His enemies took up stones, calling this blasphemy. Jesus pointed them to His works. They tried to seize Him, but He escaped. Across the Jordan, many believed in Him.