(1) 10:26 But you refuse to believe because you are not my sheep. 10
Who qualifies to be called, "refuse to believe?" They have heard from Jesus and saw what He did for a long time v.24-25 and still do not believe. They disbelieved, not because they lacked testimony from the Father v.25b. It is a willful disbelief.Question:
Did Jesus mean there was a preselection of who will be His sheep, and due to the fact that they were not His sheep then they would refuse to believe? Maybe, but they were fully responsible as stated in v.24-25.
(2) The passage in v.27-28 was a summary of the earlier part of chapter 10. Jesus was the Shepherd (hearing voice of Shepherd, follow His lead), the Good Shepherd (giving the sheep His life), the Door (no one can snatch them away). This time, Jesus added the new information: the Father and Jesus was one. The Father backed up everything that Jesus did. He gave the sheep to Jesus, He protected them from being snatched away.
(NET) The phrase ἕν ἐσμεν [are one] is a significant assertion with trinitarian implications. ἕν [one] is neuter, not masculine, so the assertion is not that Jesus and the Father are one person, but one “thing.” Identity of the two persons is not what is asserted, but essential unity (unity of essence).
Reflection: There is nothing better to be the sheep of Jesus. Those sheep/believers did not lack of evidence/testimony from the Father. How come the Jews asked for more "plain" evidence v.24? Man should not blame God but should blame themselves for unbelieve heart. Why not believe in Jesus?
The salvation was secure because the Father and Jesus work in unison. No stronger force will be greater than that! Our Shepherd, our Good Shepherd, and our Door are stronger than anything else. We can follow Him with all our heart.
Audrey
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