27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out   of my hand.

29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and the Father are one."

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When Jesus compared himself to a shepherd, he evoked an image that every man who heard his words understood.  These men were either shepherds themselves, or knew people who were.  They understood the devotion that shepherds had for their sheep.  Jesus not only said he was the good shepherd, but he also told the men standing around him that they were his sheep--if they followed him.  He promised to give his sheep eternal life.  That was a promise he could keep because Jesus and his Father were one (v. 30).

       You would think such tender language would endear Jesus to his listeners.  Instead, the people picked up stones to kill him.  Why?  Because they understood that through these bold promises, Jesus was claiming to be God himself.

       Occasionally you may meet someone who claims that Jesus never said he was God.  But why would people accuse him of blasphemy if he had never made such a claim?  And why did they threaten to stone him?