Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;

listen to my cry of supplication.

In the day of my trouble I call on you,
for you will answer me.

(Ps. 86:6-7)

Scripture Reading (John 10: 22-30)

22 At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah,[c] tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me, 26 but you do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, in regard to what he has given me, is greater than all,[d] and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

Reflection

The Pharisees were among the many in Jesus’ day who hoped and longed for a special person, a Messiah. The Messiah was a promised figure who would make things right for everybody. Many people knew about this promise and hoped the Messiah would appear in their time. The Pharisees had come to Jesus, looking for a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to whether Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah.

Even today, many are full of expectations and hope. One hope might be that a better politician will emerge at an election and finally lead the country into better times. Another expectation may be that good will finally triumph over evil, ending all tyranny, hatred, division, and strife. Living in the hope of a better world is something that we can all relate to.

In answering the question put to him by the Pharisees, Jesus said, ‘I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand’ (v. 28). Underneath this human yearning for the one swooping event that would fix everything for good is the fear of uncertainty for life and the future. We want to feel safe and know that everything will be alright, no matter what. The promise we have in God, through Jesus Christ, is that we are loved and that nothing can separate us from the love of God. The secure love of God puts our hearts at rest and inspires us to serve as agents of hope and peace to those around us.

Prayer

Eternal God,

In you, we live and move and have our being.

In you, our restless hearts find rest.

Set us free from all restlessness and anxiety.

Give us peace and grant that in all perplexity and distress,

we may abide in you

Steadied on the rock of your faithfulness,

May we serve you in bringing joy, love and peace to this troubled world.

Amen

Blessing

May God, who is the ground of hope,

Fill you with joy and peace

As you lead the life of faith

Until, the power of the Holy Spirit,

Overflows in you with hope

And the blessings of God almighty,

Father, Son, and Spirit,

Envelop you and all of yours.

Amen.

Organ Music

Johannes Brahms Herzlich thut mich verlangen

St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh

Midweek Devotion 23rd March 2023

Led by Rev Sam Nwokoro