“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”
Jesus says these words near the Portico of Solomon during the Feast of the Dedication, during winter. A footnote in the reading says that the Portico of Solomon faces east and offered protection from the cold desert winds. So people gathered around Jesus not only because of what he had to say but because they wanted to seek basic comfort, protection from the cold.
The people surrounding Jesus don’t believe that he is the one with the Father but instead believe he is “keeping them in suspense.” This makes for a long winter of the heart for them because, as Jesus says, “I told you and you do not believe.” God, help me understand the suspense is over; you sent your Son Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to give us eternal life, and you are one with your Son.
When my plans and hopes for the day bend and break, Lord, help me step out of the winter of frustration and into your own will. How will I be able to hear and follow your voice if my own mind is a beehive of noise and activity, if I refuse to come out of the cold?
Today I want to rest in knowing that the winter is over. Jesus has come into the world and destroyed death. He himself is the Eternal Word and has the words of eternal life. God, keep me from the suspense of unbelief.