“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father” (John 10:14-15a).

One of my favorite aspects of my relationship with God is that He knows everything about me. He knows where my thoughts go and what I am struggling with. He knows what I desire and what I fear. He knows how much I have grown and how much more growing I have to do. In fact, He often knows when I need to grow in patience and perseverance more than I need an immediate answer to my prayer. He knows when I need to hear from Him and when I need to see His hand at work. God knows me completely and yet loves me intensely – so powerful is God’s love for me that He was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.

“So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd. The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded” (John 10:15b-18).

Just as we found significance in the timing of what we studied yesterday – that Jesus was speaking to the people during the Festival of Dedication and the significance that had – so we find significance today in where Jesus was standing as He went on to use the same language that can be found in Ezekiel 34:22-23. Consider that Jesus was walking through the section of the Temple known as Solomon’s Colonnade. It was winter and this area was located on the east side and known for providing shelter from winter weather. It was in this protective area that Jesus said the following:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 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. The Father and I are one” (John 10:27-30).

Most likely Peter and John were with Jesus on that day and heard him say these words of comfort and protection while standing in Solomon’s Colonnade. I wonder if His words came back to them a few years later when they stood again in Solomon’s Colonnade.

Peter and John had come across a man lame from birth begging from the people as they were going into the Temple. When he asked Peter and John for money, Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” When the people saw him walking and heard him praising God, they rushed in amazement to Solomon’s Colonnade where the man was holding tightly to Peter and John (Acts 3:1-11).

Peter took this opportunity to preach to the people, clarifying that it was faith in the name of Jesus by which this man was healed. He called the people to repentance of their sins and to turn to God, so that their sins may be wiped away (3:19). It was while Peter and John were speaking to the people in Solomon’s Colonnade that the priests, the captain of the Temple guard and some of the Sadducees came and arrested Peter and John and threw them in jail. They commanded them to never again speak or teach in the name of Jesus. Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20).

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 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. The Father and I are one” (John 10:27-30).

The knowledge that Jesus was their Good Shepherd gave Peter and John boldness even in a moment of uncertainty in the future. Instead of choosing fear and caving to pressure, Jesus’ disciples chose to trust in the One who they knew with confidence would protect them. They knew the power of the One to whom they belonged. That knowledge is available to us today also. Let’s rest in the words of the One to whom we belong and sing as the psalmist did:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths, bring honor to his name.
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
And I will live in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23).