In John chapter 10, Jesus calls Himself “the Good Shepherd”. It is one of the most tender and yet powerful images He gives us of His love and mission. But to understand it fully, we must see that aside from describing Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus also warns us about the thieves and robbers who come to steal, kill, and destroy.
The Good Shepherd
When Jesus says, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11), He reveals three truths about Himself:
- He has rightful authority: The sheep belong to Him. He enters by the gate, not by force or deception.
- He knows His sheep personally: “I know my own and my own know me” (v. 14). His relationship is not distant, but intimate and loving.
- He sacrifices for His sheep: A hired hand flees when danger comes, but Jesus faces the wolf. He willingly lays down His life for us, pointing directly to His death on the cross.
To follow Jesus is to live under the care of a Shepherd who guides us, protects us, and ultimately gives us abundant life: “I came that they may have life, and have it to the full” (v. 10).
The Thieves and Bad Shepherds
Jesus also warns us to beware of thieves. He says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (v. 10). Who are these thieves?
In the immediate context, Jesus was speaking about the Pharisees and other religious leaders of His day. They were supposed to shepherd God’s people, but instead they exploited them, burdening them with rules and rejecting the true Messiah. They claim authority over God’s people but don’t truly love or protect them.
In a broader sense, these thieves represent anyone who takes advantage of God’s people instead of caring for them. Anyone who uses God’s people for personal gain rather than guiding them toward truth and life. Let’s break it down:
- False Teachers: Those who distort God’s Word, leading people away from the truth of Christ. They may promise blessings, worldly success, wisdom, or shortcuts to salvation or prosperity, but their teaching doesn’t match Scripture.
- Corrupt Leaders: Religious or even political figures who use their authority to dominate, control, or enrich themselves at the expense of the people they’re supposed to serve.
- Deceivers: Anyone who pretends to speak for God but actually serves their own interests, such as seeking fame, wealth, or power.
Behind them all is the devil himself, who seeks only to rob us of faith, joy, and eternal life. The bad shepherds do not love the sheep. They may promise freedom, prosperity, or wisdom, but their way always ends in destruction. Jesus says their pattern is the same:
- Steal: They rob people of joy, peace, freedom, and truth in Christ.
- Kill: They cause spiritual death (and sometimes physical death), and lead people away from eternal life.
- Destroy: They tear apart faith, families, and communities.
Choosing the Right Shepherd
How do we know we are following the right Shepherd? Jesus gives us the answer: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). We recognize the voice of Christ when we hear the Word of God, when the teaching leads us closer to Him, and when the fruit is life, peace, joy, truth, and righteousness.
By contrast, when a leader’s words or actions exploit, mislead, or destroy, we can be sure it is not the Shepherd’s voice but the thief’s. Because thieves often look convincing. They may appear religious, powerful, or even helpful. They are all around us in society. But their motives are selfish. Like hired hands, they don’t truly care for the sheep. They pretend to offer wealth and prosperity, protection, miracles, healing, deliverance, or spiritual covering, but in reality, they are only exploiting the sheep for their own gain.
In other words, the thief uses the sheep. The Good Shepherd genuinely gives Himself for the sheep. His love for the sheep is sacrificial, not exploitative. This is why Jesus stresses the difference so strongly: to help His followers discern between voices that exploit and the voice that gives life.
Reflection for Today
This Sunday, the message is both comforting and challenging. It comforts us because Jesus promises to care for us like a true shepherd, even laying down His life so that we may live. But it challenges us because we must be discerning: not every voice that claims to guide us speaks with the heart of the Good Shepherd.
Listen to the Shepherd’s voice. Stay close to Christ in prayer and His Word. Seek to know Him personally and intimately. Test every teaching against His Word. And take comfort in this promise: “There shall be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16). Taking comfort means trusting that Christ knows you personally, loves you deeply, watches over you faithfully, and will never leave you on your own. With one Shepherd, we have His constant care, and with one flock, we have the fellowship of other believers.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, protect us from the thieves that would lead us astray. Help us to know Your voice, to trust Your guidance, and to follow You into the fullness of life You promise. Amen.
