New Beginnings - The Good Shepherd vs The Thieves

 John 10

John 10:8-10

"All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full".

Jesus' statement about all those who had come before him did not refer to Old Testament prophets and spiritual leaders but to those who had claimed to be the Messiah or who had led people away from God. Many of the Pharisees and religious leaders could be included in the second group. They (like many churches today) invented their own gateway (the keeping of numerous traditions and rules) and appointed themselves as gatekeepers. Jesus reminded them that any other supposed way to salvation was false.

The "thieves" (false messiahs) and the "hired hands" (corrupt religious leaders John 10:12) had evil intentions. They cared only about feeding themselves or making money off the flock (nothing has changed). Israel had suffered through numerous evil leaders, false prophets and false messiahs (see Jeremiah 10:21-22; 12:10; Zechariah 11:4-17).

"Thieves" don't care for the sheep and are only interested in themselves and what they can gain from the flock. For "hired hands", working with the sheep is only a job - the first sign of trouble they take off, abandoning the vulnerable sheep.

The early church (like today) struggled with false teachers motivated by ego, power and money. Their false teachings always tried to diminish Jesus's identity in some way (just like some teachings of today). But Jesus is humanity's Only hope. All other ways lead to destruction.

Getting Personal

1. Are you aware of any false teachers or false teachings that are popular today?
2. What are they and how do they differ from Jesus's teachings?
3. What can you do to make sure that you won't be taken in by "spiritual thieves"?

We continue to be plagued by "spiritual thieves and robbers" - false religions and cults, self serving speakers, and religious leaders demanding allegiance and financial commitment to them through the "church". The one common factor is that they diminish Jesus. Often the message is subtle and enticing as they offer Jesus-minus or Jesus-plus as the answer to life's problems. Sadly, many of these false teachers can be found in houses of worship with "Jesus", "Christ", or "Christian" in their name.

"Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son". 1 John 2:22 ESV

Putting it into focus

Thank God for what he is teaching you about Jesus through the Gospels. Focusing on who Jesus really is prevents confusion when it comes to confronting false teaching. Give praise to God for the trustworthiness of his Word.

Bible Verse

"They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them". Jeremiah 32:38–39 NIV

Prayer

Lord our God, you want to be our God and you want us to be your people. Give us the inner integrity and the power to discern and reject what does not come from the heart, so that everything may be genuine among us. Then no lies and deception will creep in, and honesty and goodness will flow from our hearts to the glory of truth, to the glory of the gospel and the great hope you give us through the gospel. Guard our hearts. Protect the good that is planted in them, that it may grow and thrive and bear fruit. In Jesus name, Amen.

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