We have seen John 10:2-21 how the Good Shepherd gives, knows, provides, protects, and unites the sheep. In John 10:22-42, the focus is now on the sheep. Here we find that the sheep: believe, are known, follow, live, and are secure. The setting is at the feast of dedication. “Like the earlier Tabernacles Feast, this Festival of Dedication (Hanukkah) was symbolized by a celebration of lights. But here the lights did not so much look back to the past leading of God in the time of Moses. Rather they pointed to a hoped-for time when the Messiah would come to the temple and establish a time of independence.”^[1] The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “The Feast of Dedication is nowadays called Hanukkah or the Feast of Lights. It commemorates the reconsecration of the temple by Judas Maccabeus in 165 b.c. after its desecration in 168 b.c. by Antiochus IV (Epiphanes). The time for the eight-day feast was in December. It was winter. The feast reminded the Jewish people of their last great deliverance from their enemies. Two months had elapsed since Jesus’ last confrontation with the Jews (7:1–10:21) at the Feast of Tabernacles (7:2), which was in October. Jesus again returned to the temple area.”^[2] It is at the Feast of Dedication that Jesus picks back up with His illustration about the sheep and the shepherd.

               The Sheep Believe. As the Jews continue to question Jesus, He tells them that they do not believe in Him, therefore, they are not His sheep. His sheep are those who believe. The way to salvation is simple. When Paul and Silas were in prison singing praise to the Lord and there was an earthquake and they were set free, the message was every clear. Acts 16:30-34 says, “And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.”^[3] Paul and Silas made it very clear, that the way to salvation is to simply believe. It is also interesting that once they were saved, they were immediately baptized. To be sure, baptism does not save you, however, it is an important step as one enters the family of God, the church. In Acts 2:41 says, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”^[4]The local church is made up of baptized believers in Christ. These, who believe, are the sheep that Jesus speaks of. Only those who believe on the Lord Jesus are identified as His sheep. Those who are members of a local church are to be those who are His sheep and have made that known through believer’s baptism.

               The Sheep are known. Jesus continues by declaring that the sheep know Him and He knows the sheep. Jesus knows those who are truly His. He knows every sheep by name and He knows them personally. Jesus’ relationship with His sheep is of such that He knows His sheep individually as if they are the only one. As His sheep, Jesus knows you and loves you personally. He knows you and loves you as if you are the only one that exists. He knows you and loves you uniquely and personally. Think about it. What a comforting truth! As His sheep, He knows your hurts. He knows your frustrations. He knows your confusion. He knows your questions. He knows your pain. He knows how you feel. Every bit of anxiety, loneliness, and fear; He knows it all. Because He knows, He is there for you. He is with you. He is for you. You are known!

               The Sheep Follow. Jesus says that His sheep follow Him. There are counterfeit sheep. There are those who are disguised as sheep but are not really sheep at all. You see it is one thing to claim that you believe in Jesus, it is another thing to follow Him. Those who are truly His sheep are those who follow Him. You see, the difference between a true believer and a counterfeit is that a true believer follows. Let me put it plainly: if you are not actively following Jesus, you are not a true believer! Those who follow Jesus are those who obey His Word and are growing in their faith. They are being sanctified. They are progressively growing to become more and more life Jesus. My friend, if you’re not growing, you’re not going. If you are not moving forward into Christ likeness, then you are not truly saved. The true sheep follows Jesus.

               The Sheep Live. Jesus said that He has given His sheep eternal life. There is a misconception that people often have about eternal life. It is often looked at as something in the future. Eternal life is considered as Heaven. It is often considered as our future life. My friend, this cannot be any further from the truth. Eternal life began the moment you gave your life to Jesus. Before you were saved, you were lost in darkness. You were dead in your sins, completely separated from God. Before one is saved, he or she is not really living. True life is given to those who believe on Jesus. Apart from Jesus, there is no life. Once you do give your life to Jesus, eternal life begins immediately. You have been given abundant life, and that abundant life will continue forever. Therefore, since life began the moment we were saved, and we have been given abundant life; we should embrace life. We should enjoy life and all that life has to offer. Jesus died so we can live, therefore; let’s live!

               The Sheep are secured. Jesus makes it clear in verse 29 that no one can pluck His sheep out of the Father’s hand. My friend, the idea that one could lose his salvation is simply a false doctrine. The Bible is very clear that if you have put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus, your salvation is secure. The best scriptural confirmation for eternal security is found in Ephesians 1:13-14. “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”^[5] The moment that you accepted Jesus as your Savior, you were indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the seal of your salvation. Once you have been sealed, the seal cannot be broken. Your salvation is secure by the blood of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit. I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful I do not have to keep myself saved. I am kept by the power of God. I am sealed by the Spirit. As one of His sheep, I am secure!

               It is a wonderful and beautiful thing to be one of His sheep. There are so many benefits and blessings to being His sheep. What about you? Do you belong to Jesus? Are you one of His sheep?

^[1] Borchert, G. L. (1996). John 1–11 (Vol. 25A, p. 337). Broadman & Holman Publishers.

^[2] Blum, E. A. (1985). John. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 311). Victor Books.

^[3] The New King James Version (Ac 16:30–34). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[4] The New King James Version (Ac 2:41). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[5] The New King James Version (Eph 1:13–14). (1982). Thomas Nelson.