Episode 888
Exploring Radical Belonging: Insights from John 10:22-30
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The exploration of belonging and protection as articulated in John 10:22-30 serves as a compelling narrative framework for understanding the interplay between faith and social justice. The speaker’s interpretation of Jesus’ assurance of eternal life and protection resonates with contemporary struggles against societal destroyers, suggesting that the essence of this passage transcends religious boundaries and speaks to universal themes of justice and community care. Through a meticulous examination of the text, the speaker challenges listeners to confront the systems that threaten communal integrity, advocating for a proactive approach in fostering an inclusive environment that upholds the dignity of all individuals. The call to action emphasizes the importance of recognizing and responding to the needs of marginalized populations, urging the audience to engage in practices that promote collective well-being. As the episode culminates in a prayer for divine guidance and protection, it reinforces the notion that the pursuit of justice and belonging is not merely a personal endeavor but a communal responsibility that requires collective action and unwavering commitment.
Takeaways:
- The Gospel of John 10:22-30 emphasizes the profound themes of belonging and protection, highlighting the significance of community care.
- Jesus' assertion of being one with the Father invites us to reflect on divine unity and the importance of mutual recognition in our relationships.
- Collective liberation from systemic destroyers is a vital aspect of faith, challenging us to confront economic exploitation and social oppression.
- The imagery of the shepherd serves as a powerful metaphor for discernment and community, urging us to foster environments of mutual support and care.
- In our action steps, we are encouraged to actively examine how our communities can provide protection and belonging for marginalized individuals.
- The podcast reminds us that we must protect one another from the systemic forces that threaten to diminish our collective life and well-being.
Links referenced in this episode:
Transcript
Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Hello good people.
Speaker A:Thank you for joining me here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is where we bring the reading of the Bible, the New Testament to you every single day.
Speaker A:It's brought to you by we breathe from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:That's a three year cycle of the selected verses for this very day.
Speaker A:We're in Year C, the Eastertide season.
Speaker A:We make the reading of the Bible understandable.
Speaker A:We use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder applicable we have an action step.
Speaker A:We pray and we do all that in under 10 minutes or so.
Speaker A:All brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that's our website, the home of the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: e day from the Gospel of John: Speaker A:It was winter.
Speaker A:Jesus was strolling in the temple across Solomon's porch.
Speaker A:The Jews circling him said, how long are you going to keep us guessing?
Speaker A:If you're the Messiah, tell us straight out.
Speaker A:Jesus answered, I told you, but you don't believe.
Speaker A:Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father.
Speaker A:Actions that speak louder than words.
Speaker A:You don't believe because you're not my sheep.
Speaker A:My sheep recognize my voice.
Speaker A:I know them and they follow me.
Speaker A:I give them real and eternal life.
Speaker A:They are protected from the destroyer for good.
Speaker A:No one can steal them from out of my hand.
Speaker A:The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the destroyer and thief.
Speaker A:No one could ever get them away from Him.
Speaker A:I and the Father are of one heart and mind.
Speaker A:Well my friends, today this is a powerful message about belonging, protection and collective care.
Speaker A:So let's get into some points to ponder here today.
Speaker A:This text specifically mentions Hanukkah reminded us that Jesus ministry was deeply rooted in Jewish tradition and resistance.
Speaker A:This challenges Christian antisemitism, calling us to respect and learn from Jewish wisdom rather than appropriate or dismiss it.
Speaker A:Jesus answer about being of one heart and one mind with the Father emerges from a Jewish understanding of divine unity.
Speaker A:Another point to ponder is about the liberation from destroyers is what the Bible says this protection from the destroyers isn't about individual salvation, but about collective liberation from systems that destroy communities, whether through economic exploitation, environmental destruction or social oppression.
Speaker A:The destroyer and thief might today represent corporate greed, white supremacy or other systematic forces that steal life from communities.
Speaker A:One more point is about radical belonging.
Speaker A:The shepherd imagery here isn't about blind following, but about mutual recognition and belonging.
Speaker A:It says, my sheep recognize my voice.
Speaker A:That suggests discernment rather than passive acceptance.
Speaker A:This challenges both authoritarian religious leadership and individualistic spirituality, pointing towards communities of mutual care and shared wisdom.
Speaker A:Let's talk about an action step this week.
Speaker A:Examine how your community provides protection and belonging for vulnerable people.
Speaker A:Choose a concrete way to strengthen collective care.
Speaker A:That might mean creating some mutual aid network to support people to provide for community needs or organize protection for some people, marginalized people in many cases who are targeted with violence or supporting indigenous land protection efforts or building an interface solidarity against oppression.
Speaker A:Remember, we are called to protect each other from systematic destroyers.
Speaker A:We're going to pray here in just a moment.
Speaker A:I always want to remind you that we have a great resource for you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:You can pick it up at voiceofgoddaily.com let's have our closing prayer.
Speaker A:Divine Protector.
Speaker A:We live amid systems that destroy and thieves that steal.
Speaker A:Community life.
Speaker A:Help us recognize your voice and calls for justice and liberation when a destroyer threatens our communities.
Speaker A:Remind us of your protecting presence.
Speaker A:Guide us in building networks of mutual care and collective resistance.
Speaker A:Show us how to create genuine belonging that transcends religious boundaries.
Speaker A:Give us courage to stand against forces that diminish life.
Speaker A:In hope and determination we pray.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:It's always great to be with you here at Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:I look forward to it and hope that you do too.
Speaker A:I have a mission that put the audible word of God into 2 million ears.
Speaker A: That's a million people by: Speaker A:You're a part of this process.
Speaker A:Please help me by being with me again tomorrow.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes by 6am and bring a friend this time and tell others in your social network, for instance, about the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Until next time, friends.
Speaker A:My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up.
Speaker A:It's created new.
Speaker A:Every.
