Right after healing a man born blind, Jesus teaches about the fact He is the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, and I am feeling really good with that picture. He then gives us this:
A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. John 10:10
It turns out that the miracle He had just performed (healing the blind man by putting mud on the man’s eyes) roused up quite a controversy among religious leaders. Hmmm! Then Jesus launched into the “good shepherd” teaching. But he shows the contrast of others who fail to genuinely care for the flock of sheep.
In biblical times, sheep and shepherds were common in the culture. And the sheepfold was a safe enclosure for the sheep with usually one opening or gate. Jesus talks about the shepherd entering the enclosure by the gate and the sheep knowing his voice. I have heard teaching that in rougher terrain and enclosures, the shepherd at times laid across the opening so that literally they would be the gate to keep the sheep inside the safe space.
Then why did he jump to talking about ‘thieves and robbers’?
I like best the way Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God Day by Day describes the situation. He gives the full scripture for us to consider:
A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” John 10:10
I love Jesus’ words here sharing His goal of bringing us an abundant life. Yet, as Blackaby points out, since the time of Adam and Eve, people have had to choose whom to believe. Satan convinced them that forfeiting their obedience to God would gain them everything. Well, we know how that turned out – it ended up that for the rest of their lives (and ours), they experienced only a fraction of the blessings God had intended for them.
Oh, how many times is that scenario repeated in scripture? …and in our experiences?? As Blackaby points out, the world seeks to convince us that we will find fulfillment if we adopt its standard of morality for everything from our marriages to raising our children to advancing our careers or pursuing pleasure. And, he warns, if we believe these premises, we will never experience the blessings God intended for us – because sin brings death (Romans 6:23).
But wouldn’t we recognize thieves? Don’t they wear black masks and sneak around glancing from side to side? Uh, I think that is pretty much what TV has taught us. But who was Jesus talking about? Primarily it was religious leaders and authorities who distorted or denied the truths of God’s word. Their legalistic approach to faith along with their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah revealed them as the antagonists – even if they were Pharisees and chief priests holding high positions in the “world” at that time.
An interesting point I learned about Palestinian shepherds – they “led” their sheep. They did not drive them. And the sheep followed them because they knew their shepherd’s voice. Let that soak in for a moment.
Blackaby’s description is wonderful – Jesus wants us to live our lives with security, knowing that we are beloved children of God. So the question he poses is worth pondering more deeply – let’s give it close inspection. He says if “you are not experiencing love, joy and peace, you have settled for less than what God intends for you.”
One of his points would help us in our inspection – he says to watch ourselves to see if we have been making excuses for why we are not experiencing an abundant and joyful life. Oh dear, that hits home. I used to leave a paperback book on my desk just to remind me of this – title? Yes, Lord, I Have Sinned: But I Have Several Excellent Excuses. Those big bold words on the cover would kick me into humility in a heartbeat.
The antidote for our problem seems simple, but honestly, it is not – at least for me. Do I want God’s best for my life? Absolutely! But do I recognize when I am following the world’s way of finding satisfaction? Nope, not immediately. Some things I think are “good” are leaving no room for what God would provide for me as His best. I need to listen more closely to the Lord’s voice and stay in the Word to be reminded of what true fulfillment would be.
And when those excuses start rolling around in my head? Yep – I need to dig deeper to find where I am not following my Shepherd’s voice.
As I have been teaching the Family History Bootcamp and filling out my ancestor’s timelines, I piece together the scraps of their lives I get from documents and history relevant to them and any other source I can pull from to get a picture of their lives. But I would love, love, love to know how they struggled with finding love, joy and peace. It spurs me to consider what I would add to my “faith story” that I have put in my ancestor archives I have pulled together.
How about you? Do you have an ancestor who gave you treasured words in this category? And what are the words you would commit to write for your descendants’ benefit? Was there a mother, father, grandparent about which you can share a personal faith story. Is it written down? Saved for future generations?
All worth pondering! Just know I am right there in the sheep pen with you!
