In college, I shared an apartment with a buddy. We lived in complete poverty: we owned a couch, a desk, a chair, and an old TV. Late one afternoon, I fell asleep on the floor. I heard some noise and assumed it was my roommate rummaging around. It wasn’t.
A guy had broken in by slicing a hole through our bedroom screen. Even though I heard him, I pretended to sleep, which is a good thing since he carried a knife. I can’t imagine a more disappointed thief as he wandered through our sparse apartment, ultimately leaving empty-handed.
Jesus describes a different thief—followed by a stark contrast—in John 10:10, saying, “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.†Those are powerful words. Stealing. Killing. Destroying. The thief cares not about you or me. A thief will take what isn’t theirs and may harm others in the process. Satan, the greatest thief of all, wants your joy, peace, and even your very life. He hates God and the people He has created.
But here’s the contrast, found later in verse 10. Jesus the Good Shepherd is willing to lay down His life to protect the sheep. The sheep are His people—those who have put their trust in Him. He not only protects the sheep but has “come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.†Sheep are very vulnerable to predators, but the Good Shepherd provides both safety and abundant life, safeguarding them from thieves who want their death.
Jesus accomplished all this by laying down His life for His sheep, providing the ultimate sacrifice at the cross. He gave His life so the thief would not take ours. A hired hand might run, but a real shepherd will safeguard his sheep, even to the point of death. If our trust is in Christ alone, we can rest: the promise of the Good Shepherd is that He will not lose a single sheep (John 6:39). • Mike Hurley
• Why do you think Jesus uses the image of sheep and shepherd as a metaphor for people and God?
• Jesus offers us life and peace through His death and resurrection—while sin and Satan only offer us death. To learn more about how Jesus saves us from sin and death, check out our “Know Jesus” page.
A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. John 10:10 (CSB)
Read Verses:
John 10:10-18
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