John 10:1 Identifying the thief

Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

John 10:1 NIV

This section of John is both a tender picture of God’s care and love for me and a sharp rebuke to those who are imposters.

I personally enjoy getting lost in his words about confidently hearing his voice, having a solid protection around about me and others, calling us by name, knowing him and he us, leading us to food and rest to a place where he himself would go, protecting us with his very life, and finally seeking and adding sheep that were not yet gathered.

Yet if I look at John 10 without my blessing bias, it is also an exposé on those who would take advantage of the chosen, God-loved, and vulnerable followers. Believers are like sheep: followers. Trusting. Easy prey. Not always the most discerning or shrewd.

The peril of mission creep — both then and now

The context is important — for modern sheep, and Palestinian sheep at the time of Christ. The Jews were entrusted with the salvation of the world. Through them, the message of grace, goodness, and reconciliation to God was to flourish as a light to the nations. Instead, they had become self-serving, traumatized, self-protecting, and legalistic. Those “pastors” in Israel, the Pharisees, were trained in the law and entrusted with daily oversight and training over Israel’s people. Instead of valuing the the love of God, a different value creeped in: Jewish nationalism. This included the preeminence of political leaders, hatred for Rome and its influence, and hunting for non-Jewish worldviews and influences. More than anything else their identity was becoming entrenched in being Jewish and opposing anything NOT Jewish. Pharisees reinterpreted their history and the Torah through the eyes of a God that hated non-Jewishness, rather than one that loved the world. Jewish nationalism became a higher value than hearing and knowing the voice and love of God — or His son. As much as modern Christians don’t see themselves in the skin or error of the Pharisees, history is repeating itself. Men who call themselves pastors, along with other self-appointed church leadership, have values that are very similar to those Jews of old. Mission creep is creating a context of irrelevance to the kingdom. They have not only missed their calling — they are becoming thieves and robbers. But I get ahead of myself.

The Gate

Since Adam and Eve’s original sin, God has had his redemption in Christ as something He’s already fully known. Since the the first ancient offering for sin, up until Jesus’ time in Palestine — Jesus was always the answer. Prophets and kings who heard from God wrote about him in detail. Abraham saw Jesus’ day and rejoiced. There is only one path to redemption — the man Christ Jesus. In this analogy of sheep and shepherd, he is the gate. Those who know God, know about this incredible redemption story. Anyone with access to the sheep must also go through this Christ gate. There is a way in and out for the shepherd to enter and the sheep exit for pasture and rest. Jesus makes it clear in verse 7 what this analogy is referring to: “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” Access to those he loves has one entry point — Jesus. Life, food, rest, protection, direction, has but one source. Everyone else is “a thief and a robber.”

I respect everyone’s right to think and believe as they do… our beliefs are the result of a journey. Yet there are certain anchor points of faith that are exclusive —they preclude others. There is no way to enjoy the benefits, wisdom, and light that comes from the incredible inheritance we have in Jesus by being a Muslim, Hindu, agnostic, atheist, or any other brand of belief — even being a Christian, similar to being Jewish at the time of Christ. It doesn’t mean God loves any person with different worldviews any less. But those in Christ, understand. When our hearts are born into the kingdom of light, there is but one gate that the sheep recognize, and one God we serve. It’s not complicated. Today in our all-accepting, politically correct society, there are many paths, many truths. Yet Jesus is identifying those people under his care that both belong to him — and know him—in no uncertain terms. There is one caretaker, one gate. It’s through Jesus. Anyone who seeks access to the beloved of God outside of Christ, has another motive, goal, agenda.

It is here that one must draw some conclusions. These Jewish leaders, the Pharisees, were given access to the children of God, to lead, nurture, teach, and help them grow. But at some point, the God-appointed Levite caretakers, started jumping into the pen over the fence and not through the gate. They took a shortcut and assumed their shepherd clothes and staff would fool the sheep. Everything about them looked and smelled the part — except for their approach. Subtle, yes?

Today it is the same. Men and women who look and smell the part of a Pastor* but whose values have shifted. Jesus said men would know his disciples by their love for one another. Today, outspoken leaders in the organized church have changed this to, “all men will know you when you separate and distinguish yourself from others by NOT doing anything like them.” Just like their Jewish counterparts oh so long ago. The message has shifted from love to our identity as distinct from others. It’s confrontational, demeaning, aggressive, and misses the real message: to love as I am loved.

To be absolutely clear, Jesus isn’t just saying that he is the gate, but he is identifying anyone who attempts to gain access to those he loves and cares outside of him. And he calls them what they are: thieves and robbers. They are not looking after the welfare of the sheep, but their own gain.

The real message

I love being comforted by Jesus words in this section of the Bible. But if I take comfort, I also must understand that he is also identifying the imposters. The funny irony is that the imposters don’t see it.

*(Pastor is a Latin term for the Greek which means shepherd)