Pastor Ron E. Thompson: Christ’s Five ‘My’s’

In the Bible, the Gospel of John presents Jesus as the Son of God and how to have life through His name (John 20:31 KJV). Pastors often use his narrative as a training manual for new believers. A unique feature of this book is the repetition of words such as “believe,” “life,” and “signs.” For example, he lists seven signs or miracles that Jesus performed and seven “I am’s” that He spoke to identify His mission. Curiosity led me to examine the word “My” in a concordance. I discovered that Jesus said “My” between one and two hundred times in John’s Gospel alone.

Since “My” indicates ownership, lets open our Bibles to John10 and focus our attention to five “My’s” Jesus used.

1. “My Father.” In John 10:17, we learn about the connection between God the Father and Christ the Son: It is a bond both of love and obedience. The Father loved the Son because He gave His life for the flock. The Son demonstrated His love for the Father by being obedient unto death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). This concept reminds me of our ministry. Mark 16:15 commands us to proclaim the Good News to everyone. Obediently sharing our faith and being in our first love for Christ are reciprocal components in our ministry. We usually talk about the things we love. In John 14:15 GW, Jesus says: “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” Then in John 15:10 NLT, He tells His disciples: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” Our relationship with Christ will cause us to naturally share our faith with others. Are we talking to others about the One we love.
2. “My Life.” Bible scholars say that there are 150 names and titles given to Jesus Christ in God’s Word. The most loveable of them all is that of a shepherd. People in that part of the world were known as shepherds. Kings and priests identified themselves as shepherds. Abraham, Moses, and David were shepherds. The Pharisees in John chapter 9 who criticized the man born blind were false shepherds. Jesus who came to seek and save the lost was the True Shepherd. John 10:15-17 contains the Good Shepherd discourse where Jesus spoke of His coming death saying: “I lay down My life for the sheep.” He did this voluntarily and had the authority to take it up again because God gave that to Him in love. What a contrast to those false shepherds in Christ’s day who
deceived others. Today our world is full of false prophets, teachers, and healers pretending to be God and giving their lives, not for others, but for selfish gain.
3 “My Voice.” John 10:16 mentions “other sheep” who will hear His voice and follow Him. These are the Gentiles (that is us, folks)! Pastor J. Vernon McGee explains it this way: “There is to be one Shepherd and one flock containing Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, bond and free, male and female, Black and White, people from every nation, and out of every tongue and tribe.” The apostle Paul reminded the Ephesians that the Gentiles were once strangers to the Jews and without God, but now Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled to God in one body by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-16). This one flock will hear and follow His voice calling others to salvation. His voice is more than an audible sound; it is a relationship the flock has with the True Shepherd. In
the beginning, God spoke the universe into existence, and later spoke through His prophets, and finally spoke through His Son. Today He speaks to us by the Holy Spirit through His Word (Hebrews 1:1-2). How is God’s voice leading you, dear reader?
4. “My Sheep.” Notice the verbs used in John 10:27 to describe His sheep: They hear, know, and follow only the Shepherd. Remember, obedience is the mark of one’s salvation. Note further that the Shepherd knows His sheep. Dear one, are you not glad that the Shepherd knows you? Often people misunderstand us, but we do not have to explain ourselves to Him. He knows and He understands.
5. “My Hand.” John 10:28 adds that the Shepherd gives the sheep eternal life and promises that no one will ever perish nor be plucked from His hands. John 10:27-28 contains one of the clearest statements in Scripture that anyone who receives Jesus as Lord and Savior can never be lost. That is because God gives the believer eternal life just as John 3:16 promises.

These five “My’s” speak eloquently of Christ’s ownership in the lives of His children. We magnify them through the beloved hymns we sing. Examples:

Harriet Buell gave us: “My Father is rich in houses and lands; He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands.”

Frances Havergal penned: “I Gave My Life for Thee, what hast thou given for Me?” Margaret Clarksen produced: “So send I you to bear My cross with patience. And then one day with joy to lay it down. To hear My voice,
‘Well done, My faithful servant – Come, share My throne, My kingdom and My crown.’”

Elizabeth Clephane fashioned lyrics to: “Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine; Are they not enough for
Thee? But the Shepherd made answer: ‘This of Mine has wandered away from Me. And although
the road be rough and steep, I go to the desert to find My sheep.’”

Daniel Shutte created: “I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry. All who dwell in deepest sin My hand will save.”

Beloved, if we know the Shepherd, we sheep should love and obey Him, just as the Father loved the Son who obeyed Him.