John 10:28

A CLUSTER OF GRAPES

‘I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My Hand.’

John 10:28

Here we have an illustration of the vast privileges which the Lord Jesus Christ bestows on true Christians. He uses words about them of singular richness and strength. ‘I know them. I give unto them eternal life. They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.’ This sentence is like the cluster of grapes which came from Eshcol. A stronger form of speech perhaps can hardly be found in the whole range of the Bible.

I. Christ ‘knows’ His people with a special knowledge of approbation, interest, and affection. By the world around them they are comparatively unknown, uncared for, or despised. But they are never forgotten or overlooked by Christ.

II. Christ ‘gives’ His people ‘eternal life.’ He bestows on them freely a right and title to heaven, pardoning their many sins, and clothing them with a perfect righteousness. Money, and health, and worldly prosperity He often wisely withholds from them. But He never fails to give them grace, peace, and glory.

III. Christ declares that His people ‘shall never perish.’ Weak as they are, they shall all be saved. Not one of them shall be lost and cast away: not one of them shall miss heaven. If they err, they shall be brought back: if they fall, they shall be raised. The enemies of their souls may be strong and mighty, but their Saviour is mightier; and none shall pluck them out of their Saviour’s hands.