“During His earthly ministry, Jesus was up against the Jews who tried to oppose and contradict Him. The Bible tells us, “And Jesus went into the temple, in Solomon’s porch. Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, I told you and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you” (John 10:24-26). Jesus made it very plain to them that because of their unbelief they were not His sheep.
Jesus went on to tell them about the total security of His sheep. He said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27,28). Jesus refers to Himself as “the good shepherd that gives His life for the sheep” And again He says, “I am the good shepherd and know my sheep and I am known by My own” (John 10:11,14).
The only way one can become a “sheep of Christ,” is in response to the gospel, which is the good news of salvation that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead in accordance with the scripture (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Thus, Christ provides “eternal life” for His sheep, which means ”they will never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
Eternal life means, “never ending.” It is actually the life of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself that He imparts to everyone who receives Him as their personal Savior. Also included is the guarantee that “they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). This means total security is guaranteed by the Shepherd for time and eternity. The Bible tells us, “we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand” (Psalm 95:7). Jesus also stated, “My Father, who gave them [the sheep] to Me, is greater than all, and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:29). This reinforces the safety of the sheep because they are absolutely safe in the care and comfort of God the Father and God the Son.
Jesus also states confidently and forcefully. “I and My Father are One.” (John 10:30). And in verse 38 He said, “the Father is in Me, and I in Him.” This was also revealed by Christ’s in His high priestly intercessory prayer to the Father. He prayed, “I come to You, Holy Father, keep through your name those who you have given Me, that they may be one, as we are” (John 17:11). There is absolutely no doubt about of the oneness and equality of God the Father and God the Son, which vividly supports the doctrine of the “Trinity.”
It should never be forgotten that Jesus preexisted before He came in human form to die on the cross. During the creation, God said, “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26). Note these words “Let us” and “our image.” Certainly God was not speaking to Himself. On one occasion Philip said to Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father and it is sufficient for us.” Here is Jesus’ response, “Have I been with you so long and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works” (John 14:8-10). This is the Word of God!