The Shepherd & The Thief

By Ed Pilapil Jr.

John 10:1-10 • February 25, 2024 • English Service 10:00 AM

 

Sermon Introduction

Jesus healed a man who was born blind, which triggered a series of events. Instead of showing amazement, the Jewish leaders expressed their displeasure for the violation of the Sabbath. Several hearings happened where the blind man and his parents faced hostile questioning. The blind man received sight, but more than that, he believed in who Jesus claimed to be: the Son of Man. The Jewish religious leaders remained blind to the Messiah in their midst, but the man who was formerly blind also received spiritual sight in Jesus. The Lord would give a powerful analogy, revealing more of Himself. John, the writer, narrates that Jesus is the Shepherd and the door. Conversely, the religious leaders behaved like thieves and robbers.

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

 
 
 
 

John 10:1-10

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Notes

Jesus healed a man who was born blind, which triggered a series of events. Instead of showing amazement, the Jewish leaders expressed their displeasure for the violation of the Sabbath. Several hearings happened where the blind man and his parents faced hostile questioning. The blind man received sight, but more than that, he believed in who Jesus claimed to be: the Son of Man. The Jewish religious leaders remained blind to the Messiah in their midst, but the man who was formerly blind also received spiritual sight in Jesus. The Lord would give a powerful analogy, revealing more of Himself. John, the writer, narrates that Jesus is the Shepherd and the door. Conversely, the religious leaders behaved like thieves and robbers.

  1. Shepherd and Door

    The thief does not go through the door; the shepherd goes through the door. The sheep will not listen to the stranger’s voice but will listen to the shepherd’s voice. He calls them by name and leads them. Moreover, Jesus is also the door.


    “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his sheep by name and leads them out (John 10:1-3, ESV).

  2. Strangers and Thieves

    The sheep follow their shepherd because they are familiar with his voice. The stranger will not follow a voice that they do not know. The sheep ignore or even flee the stranger. Those who listened failed to understand the powerful illustration.

    4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them (John 10:4-6, ESV).

  3. Opposite Intents

    The shepherd intends to give abundant life to the sheep, but the thieves and robbers intend to kill and destroy. Jesus is the shepherd, but He is also the door. The sheep that belong to the Lord will not listen to thieves and robbers.


    7     So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:7-10, ESV).

Application

  1. Know Christ and His Words

    The sheep know His voice. All of us who believe in Him should know His words because His words and His voice are one. All who do not genuinely believe in His Word should know Christ in a personal way through the gospel and grow through His Word.

  2. Do Not Follow Others

    We should follow the Lord and His Word. Those who claim to come in His name must be tested through their words. We cannot be so welcoming of every teaching. Every explanation we hear must be double-checked through context study.

  3. Do Not Become a Thief

    We must proclaim the gospel and teach others His word. However, we must do so with utmost caution. The word must be taught accurately, and our motives must be pure. We should only use the Scriptures to fulfill the command to proclaim, make disciples, and glorify Him.

Reflection & Discussion

  1. Explain the illustration within the context.

  2. Itemize the claims of Christ in the cited text.

  3. Who are the thieves and robbers and strangers in the context?