The Door of the Sheep

In 1933, the Nazis came to power in Germany. Hitler was a great orator, but a ruthless ruler. Hitler used a lot of propaganda to convince people that other races were inferior and harmful to the Germans. Hitler persecuted Jews and other ethnic groups. During his regime, he killed 6 million Jews and 5 million people belonging to other ethnic groups. More than 1 million of these victims were children! Eventually, Hitler’s army was defeated. The Germans thought that Hitler would give them a good life, but eventually, this agent of the devil stole, killed, and destroyed many lives. That’s why it’s so important that we follow the right leaders. John 10:1-10 reminds us that while the false shepherds destroy our lives, Jesus came to give us abundant life.

We can learn a couple of lessons from the third ‘I AM’ saying of Christ. The first lesson is: We must be careful about the false shepherds who seek to destroy us (John 10:1, 5-6, 8, 10a). The sheep don’t trust strangers (v. 5). They follow only the voice of their shepherd. Similarly, God’s people will not be enticed by the voice of Satan and sin. They listen only to the voice of Christ. The thieves steal, kill, and destroy the sheep (v. 10a; cf. vv. 1, 8). Even today, many political and religious leaders steal, kill, and destroy people’s lives. That’s why we must be careful about the false shepherds who seek to destroy us.

The second lesson from the third ‘I AM’ saying is: We can experience abundant life only through Jesus, the door (John 10:2-4, 7, 9, 10b). In contrast to the thieves who come to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus came to give abundant life to his sheep (v. 10b). Jesus doesn’t grant this freedom of experiencing abundant life by wielding a sword or a shield, but by taking up his cross. The world follows leaders like Hitler and Stalin, and eventually, these evil rulers steal, kill, and destroy innocent lives. But Jesus grants us abundant life! Following Christ is not a dull and lifeless pursuit. Jesus promises us an abundant and joyful life!

We will not merely live forever after we die. We can experience the best life (that is, eternal life) now and forever. Jesus didn’t come so that we could merely escape hell. He came so that we can experience eternal life right here on earth! He doesn’t want us to live in constant fear, worry, and complaining spirit. He wants us to live a life of joy even in the midst of troubles. He wants us to have an intimate fellowship with him. In fact, to know Christ is to truly live. He wants us to live a life of faith. He wants us to live “a higher life!” Hallelujah!

Since abundant life is in Christ alone, delight yourself in him alone.