John 10:7-10
"so He explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I AM the Gate for the sheep. All who came before Me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. Yes, I AM the Gate. Those who come in through Me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."
[Emphasis added]
Being an artist and arts executive, it always fascinates me when art theft comes to light. Not because crime is fun but because the art thief attempts to steal something created by another and either pass it off as their own, subvert its original purpose or sell it for a profit of ill-gotten gains. During the Holocaust not only did millions of Jews lose their lives, but many lost valuable artworks to theft by the Nazis. For decades, under false pretenses, these pieces of artwork were hidden, given to museums, placed in Nazi homes or covertly sold to collectors around the world. In recent years many Jewish families pursued litigation to retrieve their family's stolen artwork, some successfully and many unsuccessfully. The biggest hurdle they faced? Proving the legitimacy of their claim, i.e. that the artwork actually belonged to their family. Dates, times, addresses, artist, etc. were items needed to authenticate and prove ownership against a regime that had subverted even the tiniest pieces of information for its purposes to steal and take ownership of something that didn't belong to it.
It is no secret that Jesus had strong feelings about the religious leaders of His day and often spoke of them as a way of preparing and equipping Believers not only against false prophets and bad leaders but as a sharpening tool and measuring stick by which Believers could recognize the Truth of Who He is and how to accurately hear, discern and follow HIs voice. Jesus is exemplary at explaining both everyday life and Spiritual life using His famous parables, allegories and symbolism. One that is very clear and sometimes misinterpreted is today's Scripture in John 10:10. This passage is a literary practice of comparison using imagery to highlight the difference between two types of people and in the process, Jesus is revealing more profound truths about Himself.
Of course, we must remember the setting upon which Jesus is in, is relying and is referencing. It is Festival time in a Middle Eastern agrarian society where Israel has been regarded as the flock under the Shepherding of Father God and in the natural under Spiritual and political leaders [see also Ezek. 34 Isa 56:9, Jer 23:1-4]. If we read the entire passage and the preceding chapters of John 10 in context; we witness Jesus become a vital substitutionary physical element as He appears at Sabbath [ch. 5], Passover [ch. 6], Festival of Shelters [chs. 7-9] and Festival of Dedication/Hanukkah [ch. 10]. If Jesus reveals Himself as the Good Shepherd we can therefore infer, assume and know that the thief in question is anyone that is the opposite, i.e. the current religious leaders at that time. In fact, Jesus is crystal clear, even though the listeners don't understand. In verse 1 He describes a thief/robber then in verse 2-4 He describes a shepherd/gatekeeper. And again, in verses 7, 9-11 and 14-16 He plainly says that He is the Good Shepherd, and all others were/are thieves and robbers. And thieves and robbers steal, kill and destroy as they sneak under, over and around the gate with ill intentions. The gatekeeper boldly guards the gate [even so far as lying across its entrance] and dually as the Shepherd strides through and allows His sheep to pass through in safety.
We all like sheep have gone astray. And had it not been for Jesus we surely would have perished. Sheep need guidance, discipline, care and protection. Jesus is the only One, the Good Shepherd, that can provide those things. In Biblical times and even in modern farming communities, a good shepherd builds a pen with one gate to guard against threats of danger. A bad shepherd leaves the flock uncovered and through exploitation, theft and misuse open to threats of enemies. Jesus is not only implying that yes, ultimately, we do have an Enemy that is a thief, but He is mainly presenting a stinging indictment against corrupt Jewish leaders who He descriptively regarded as thieves and robbers. As Believers and the sheep of His pasture, Believers will: 1. Recognize His voice, 2. Follow Him. 3. Be saved. What won't we do as Believers? 1. Listen to the voice of another that is in direct opposition to Jesus. If we think about the aforementioned art theft: That means anyone or anything that steals, kills or destroys by attempting: to pass off what they stole from us as their own.; subvert our original God given purpose.; or sell pieces of our soul/body/spirit to advance the kingdom of darkness.
If someone or something is stealing, killing or destroying any part of you, it is not from God and He invites you today to seek shelter, protection and abundant life under the watchful eye of the Good Shepherd. As a Believer your proof of ownership is His Holy Spirit living inside of you and the scars of His Son Jesus Who died for you and His written Word that details His Promises and Covenant with you. You have been bought with a price and God holds the nontransferable receipt!
Takeaways for you to remember.
#1 Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Believers are His sheep.
#2 The Good Shepherd covers, protects, guides and leads His sheep.
#3 The thief is anyone or anything that opposes the Work of the Good Shepherd.
Yours in Christ!
Dr. Quahana
Want to enjoy some of the Scriptures inspiring this entry?
[All referenced Scripture is NLT version unless otherwise noted.]
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