The gift of new life, of eternal life, is the gift of the risen Christ. It is the promise of Jesus. It was true for Dorcas in Joppa. It was true for those “who have come out of the great ordeal” in the Revelation vision. It is true for us and for all the baptized: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord | is my shepherd;
I shall not | be in want.
2 The Lord makes me lie down | in green pastures
and leads me be- | side still waters.
3 You restore my | soul, O Lord,
and guide me along right pathways | for your name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall | fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they | comfort me. R
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence | of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is | running over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days | of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the | Lord forever. R
I shall not | be in want.
2 The Lord makes me lie down | in green pastures
and leads me be- | side still waters.
3 You restore my | soul, O Lord,
and guide me along right pathways | for your name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall | fear no evil;
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they | comfort me. R
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence | of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is | running over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days | of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the | Lord forever. R
John 10:22-30
22 At that time the Festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered, “I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me, 26 but you do not believe because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, in regard to what he has given me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”
