And I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My Father’s hand. John 10:28
We went shopping for health insurance when I entered semi-retirement, and found it a frustrating experience. Prices for basic coverage were extremely high for people our age, and the list of companies willing to take us on as clients was very short, even though we had no medical conditions and live relatively safe lifestyles. The company we eventually chose was the least evil of a bad bunch, and even they would offer us nothing except prescription drug insurance. Because we had been in a car accident a few months earlier, they denied us chiropractic coverage, even though we had no issues related to that accident. They specifically exempted any coverage for drugs or treatment related to Crohn’s disease, even though I have not had any problems with Crohn’s in almost 40 years. We were very discouraged and disappointed with the protection we were offered. How good to know that the protection the Lord Jesus offers has no exemptions and no loopholes!
The protection service that the Lord Jesus gives is called ‘eternal life’. Even the name is an absolute. No possibility of an expiry date exists if it is eternal. And the life that the Lord Jesus gives is abundant life, which means the presence and protection of the Holy Spirit while here in time, and a perpetual existence in the presence of God for eternity. This eternal life is not of our doing or providing; the Lord Jesus declares that He gives it to us.
He also guarantees that we will never perish; not only are we assured of Heaven, we are preserved from ever encountering hell. How much better than the insurance of earth. They can promise to help clean up after disaster strikes, but they can’t prevent the disasters themselves. When bad things happen, they hurt and damage is done. But the ‘never perish’ of our text is a guarantee that the wrath of God is forever removed, and the king of terrors is reduced to a shadow.
Our text reminds us why we are so secure; we are in the Father’s hand. No enemy is strong enough to move us or remove us. The almighty Hand is our resting place and our eternal security. Words of a lovely hymn come to mind: Be hushed, my sad spirit, the worst that can come but shortens the journey and hastens me home (Henry F. Lyte). What better protection could we desire than that? -Jim MacIntosh