Life without Christ is a life full of crisis. It is either you seek after God and serve him or you go after the things of this world which are under the control of Satan. You cannot be neutral. Satan disguises himself as the giver of life but his three-fold ministry is to kill, steal and destroy.
He does not have anything good to offer but diseases, destruction, and death. He is like a roaring lion targeting the souls of men both in the new testament and in the old testament for eternal death but Jesus is the great shepherd of the sheep with the abundance of grace.
He is the legitimate shepherd and the right door in the entire bible that can give more abundant life. It is only in Christ that you have superabundance that is, life at its fullest. This is what salvation is about.
The book of John mentioned it severally that Christ is the author and giver of life.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die. ” (John 11:25)
Everything good you can imagine is found in Christ. Talk about long life, much money, a greater measure of the grace of God, good health, and lots more.
Absolutely, there is no life outside Christ, it is found and entered by no other but him alone.
Who wrote John 10:10 and when was it written?
The gospel of John 10:10 was written by an unknown author. However, it was agreed by some early Christians that it was composed by John. It was written between 90 and 100 CE.
What is the context of John 10?
The context of John 10 talks about how Jesus identified Himself as the door and true shepherd.
The attributes of a good shepherd are that he loves, cares for, and protects the sheep of his pasture from danger. Jesus is referred to as the shepherd who goes in the way that is acceptable and prepared.
He is the ONLY access into the fold. Anyone who enters into this fold, not through Jesus is a thief in the sheepfold. Whosoever enters through the door (Jesus) will be saved and satisfied. He is the door that keeps his own sheep away from danger. He is indeed the door.
The way by which the sheep can go in and out. The shepherd calls the sheep by name and leads them because they know his voice. He wanted a situation where it will be one shepherd and one sheepfold because we are all one in Christ Jesus.
The sheep have a close relationship with the shepherd so, they hear the voice of their shepherd. They will by no means follow a stranger (thieves, robbers, fake religious leaders, or false teachers today).
The stranger has come to steal, kill and destroy but God has come to give life and to give it more abundantly. Jesus is the truth and it is by knowing him and knowing God’s voice that we fight against those to seek to invade, steal, kill and destroy us. (Verses 1-10)
Jesus is a good shepherd that gives his life for the sheep. He will always sacrifice himself for the sheep but a hireling does not care about the sheep. When the wolf comes, he flees and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
This happens because he is not a good shepherd but a false shepherd who does not care about the sheep. Jesus reaffirms that he is the good shepherd because he knows his sheep and he gives His life for them as this is established in his bond with God.
Jesus said he must bring other sheep (that is the gentiles) who must hear his voice, even though they are not of the fold so that there will be one flock and one shepherd. (Verses 11-16)
God saw the attributes Jesus displayed and he (Jesus) was loved more by the Father. He was not coerced but laid down his life and also had the power to take it up again according to the command he received from God the Father. (Verses 17-18)
Jesus was accused of being insane and demon-possessed because of claims he made about Himself in verse 17. (Verses 19 -21)
The Jews came to him in Jerusalem asking to tell them if he was Christ and answered them,
“I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.”
This happened during the feast of dedication. It is comforting to know that the good shepherd will take care of his sheep so that they are safe and secure. The Father who has given them to him is greater than all and no one will be able to snatch them from him because he and his Father are one- declaring his unity with his Father.
The Jews became angry because he said I and my Father are one. They perceived He was equating himself with God. (Verses 22-33)
Jesus answered them using the power of the word. If it was written in the book of the law that “Ye are gods” (according to Psalm 82) and you accepted the titles. Why then would you call it blasphemy that I call Myself the ‘Son of God in light of the testimony of Me and My works?” because the scriptures cannot be broken.
He is the right person God has chosen and sent into this whole world. Again, they sought to kill him but He escaped from their hands. (Verses 34-39)
Jesus left Jerusalem to the place John the Baptist was baptizing. There, many came to Him and believed. (Verses 40-42)
What is the message of John 10:10?
The message of John 10:10 is about the works of the devil to invade, steal and destroy what belongs to people such as joy, peace, health, and finances.
Devil is like the attackers in the earthly realm who are like robbers and bandits.
The purpose of a thief is always to wreak havoc while some unholy people who we think are spiritual also inflict pain on others for their selfishness and pleasure.
People who are vulnerable to this attack are people who do not hear the voice of the Lord because they are not of the fold but Christ has come to give life in abundance, life eternal, full of satisfaction and fulfillment in Christ. It is not wished, nor is it forced on people. It is a personal responsibility that must be taken.
Abundant life is far more than material possession. It is eternal life, a life of heavenly perspective according to John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” This begins from here, your salvation. (Romans 10:9-10).
The human nature is used to material possessions which is the root of bad practices and such things pollute the minds of men and the life of these persons involved. You must be saved and have a close relationship with him.
That is, having a personal connection with God through prayer, fellowship, word study, and exhibiting a life full of the fruit of the spirit. These are the channels through which he communicates with us.
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” meaning
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy,” means the invader (the enemy) does not have anything good to offer but destruction and death.
However, God’s sheep are protected and preserved from the thief by the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
John 10:11 says,
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
They will also run away from strangers because they do not know the voice of strangers (John 10:5).
John 8:32 says
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”
It is by knowing the truth and recognizing God’s voice that we can be free from all wiles of the devil. Recognize and follow God’s voice.
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” meaning
“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” means Jesus is the ONLY one who gives life and gives it in abundance.
False teachers, false religions, and teachings provide limited or short comfort. Spiritual and everlasting life is from Jesus.
Abundant life begins from here (earth) and not when we get to heaven. It is a life that begins here and now. After all, our purpose on earth is to glorify God and enjoy the time spent with him on earth. This is what abundant life is about and not only in heaven.
According to A. W Tozer, an American Christian Pastor who said
“We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.”
Glorify God now and enjoy Him forever. When we don’t read our bibles, fellowship with one another, and pray then, we cannot enjoy life in all its fullness because eternal life is your connection with God and life in its fullness.
What is the difference in biblical translations John 10:10 (NKJV, KJV, NIV & ESV)?
John 10:10 NKJV biblical translation “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10 KJV biblical translation “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10 NIV biblical translation “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10 ESV biblical translation “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
There is no difference in the four translations between NKJV, KJV, NIV, and ESV
The four translations are written almost the same and have the same meaning.
How do I apply John 10:10 to my life?
Applying John 10:10 to my life is to follow what Jesus says.
Obey every one of his words and instructions. Be open to his leadings and voice so as not to go astray. There are many wolves in sheep’s clothing these days but since I recognize the voice of the shepherd, victory is sure.
I will keep a close relationship with God through prayer, the holy bible, and fellowship with other brethren. I must also guide my salvation jealousy with good works as there are many false shepherds, false doctrines, and teachings set out to pollute one’s beliefs.
What is John 10:10 prayer?
Mighty God, thank you for the gift of the Good Shepherd who came to lay His life for me. Thank You for the privilege of being one of the sheep of His pastures. Thank You for giving me abundant life through Christ Jesus.
Good Shepherd, deliver me from every physical and spiritual thief assigned to steal my glory, health, joy, family, finances, etc. Let every thief assigned to steal, kill and destroy your plans and purpose in my life be destroyed by the fire of the Holy Ghost.
Guard and protect me from every bad influence awaiting to destroy me. Help me to discern what is evil and protect me from temptations. I pray for the grace to know you more and to continually abide in Your presence. This I pray through Christ our Lord. AMEN
Conclusion
Jesus is the door to the sheepfold that is, the church of God, anyone who enters finds security for his soul and safety for his daily needs.
When you enter through the door of the sheep, you have entered the realm of what “eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (I Corinthians 2:9)
You must trust, obey his commands and have faith in him to enter through the door. Once we enter, we are saved.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd and we must recognize His voice. One attribute of sheep is that they recognize the voice of the one who cares for them and will not follow a stranger. Without a Good Shepherd, the sheep will not be able to get food or water, they may get lost or even die.
Therefore, the sheep need to know the voice of the Shepherd in order not to wander away and fall into the hands of the enemies.
The scripture says in John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
He delivers us from wolves, false teachers, and all forms of false teachings. No one can snatch you from Jesus’s hands.
Have you entered the sheepfold of our Lord Jesus? Are you a genuine member? Does your spiritual life reflect this? Are you living a holy Christian life? The door is opened. Come to Him and He will give you everlasting life.
