When Christ Steps In, You Win!

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

Everyone has need to be under the care of the True Shepherd who gives abundant life to the sheep in His fold. Will you choose to be under Christ’s care today?

Introduction

After giving sight to a blind man, the Pharisees asked Jesus whether they were among the blind ones Jesus spoke of in John 9:39-41.  Jesus’ answer to them is recorded in John 10.  In John 10:1-2, Jesus spoke of a true shepherd and his sheep, while speaking of the threat that thieves and robbers pose to the sheep.  

In this week’s sermon, I want to make it known that we all have reason to be under the care of the True Shepherd.  I say this because the thieves and robbers are still at work, posing a serious threat.  Yet, under the care of the True Shepherd, there is life for His flock.

The Sheep

When Jesus spoke these words, He was speaking about Israel.  Jesus established that the sheep were:  those in need of healing; those who were helpless and unable to care for or fend for themselves; and those who lived in need of guidance.  

Sheep, as in the animal, are often used metaphorically to depict those who live in such a need because sheep live in need of a shepherd (or overseer).  You see, sheep can’t really do much to care for themselves.  When left unattended, sheep can’t fend for themselves, leaving them vulnerable to predators.  Unattended sheep will also wander astray, having no true sense of direction, once again leaving themselves vulnerable to being consumed.

The Thieves and Robbers

Again, Jesus said, “All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers (John 10:8).”  Now, who could Jesus be speaking of?

The devil

Some of you may answer, saying, Satan.  The devil is a thief and robber.  In Revelation 12:7-9, Satan rebelled in heaven against God, which led not only to his fall, but also to the fall of the angels who chose to follow him.

Since his fall, Satan has continued his rebellion against God by first persuading Adam and Eve to disobey God’s instructions in the garden (Gen. 3).  Satan continues his rebellion today by continuing to entice many to live in disobedience of God’s instructions.

False prophets

It is also quite possible that Jesus could have been speaking of those who were false prophets, especially those false prophets of old.

In Jeremiah 14:14, the Lord spoke against the false prophets of old when he spoke to His prophet, Jeremiah.  The false shepherds of old prophesied lies and false visions in God’s name!  They also justified the sins of the people, causing them to believe nothing was wrong with their actions, when God’s prophets called on the people to repent.   

Because of their lies and false visions, justifying the sins of the people, the false shepherds were essential to the kingdom of Israel being conquered by the Assyrians and the kingdom of Judah being conquered by Babylon.

False teachers

Now, we must remember that Jesus was responding to the Pharisees’ question.  Not only had the Pharisees asked if Jesus considered them to be blind, but they had also said that Jesus was not from God (John 9:16).  The Pharisees had also determined that Jesus was a sinner because He did not honor the Sabbath by giving sight to the blind man on the Sabbath (John 9:24).

Like the false prophets of old, many of the Pharisees recorded in the gospels worked against the Lord by denying His only begotten Son.  Now, while the Pharisees were the ones Jesus was responding to in this scripture, we know that the scribes, priests, and another group, the Sadducees, also denied Christ and spoke against Him.

Danger of the thieves and robbers

Notice that these thieves and robbers moved under the name of God.  There is a cunningness to the thief and robber.  In John 10:1, Jesus said that the thief and robber doesn’t enter in at the door, but rather, they find another way into the fold.  This is a statement that brings me back to Jesus’ teaching about false prophets, likening them to a wolf who comes in sheep’s clothing (Matt. 7:15).

In 2 Peter 2:1-2, Peter testified that false teachers were among the flock and they secretly brought in destructive heresies, denying the Lord, and that many, unfortunately, followed their destructive ways.

In Jude 4, Jude spoke of how certain men crept in unnoticed and turned the grace of God into lewdness, denying the Lord. 

The goal of the thieves and robbers ought to be quite clear:  Jesus said that they desire to steal, kill, and destroy the flock (John 10:10). 

A True Shepherd

A true shepherd is needed so that sheep can live their lives comfortably and not in fear.  I want you to pay attention to what Jesus said about what a true shepherd does for his flock, and why a true shepherd is so needful for sheep. 

In John 10:2, Jesus stated that a true shepherd doesn’t secretly climb into the dwelling place of the sheep, but rather goes through the entrance.  A true shepherd can do this without worry of the sheep running away in terror.  No, a true shepherd wants the flock to see him and know that he is there.

Then, in John 10:3, Jesus said that a true shepherd doesn’t guess who his sheep are, but rather, a true shepherd knows them and calls them by name.  Let us note that Jesus said that the sheep don’t respond to his voice in terror, but rather, they find comfort and trust in the voice of their shepherd.

In that trust, a true shepherd brings his flock out from their dwelling, leads them, and they willingly follow him.  Why do they follow?  Because they trust their shepherd; he won’t lead them into danger, but rather will watch over them and keep them as they graze.

In that same care, Jesus noted that a true shepherd returns his flock at night to the sheepfold, and will stand guard at the entrance, being the door.  This is a measure that a true shepherd takes to protect their sheep at night so that the sheep can rest peacefully.

Let this be clear to you:  A true shepherd is the lifeline of his flock.  What I mean by this is that sheep live in total dependence on the love and care of their shepherd.  Without a shepherd, sheep can’t make it, yet with a true shepherd, they can live a life where they are loved and cared for, regardless of their surroundings.

When Christ Steps In

In John 10:7, Jesus proclaimed, “Most assuredly, I am the door of the sheep.”  Jesus said this with His whole heart, and with great intention!  I want to spend a moment with this proclamation, if you don’t mind, because we must fully understand what this means.  

I want you to keep in mind that the Pharisees had said to the blind man whom Jesus had healed, “This Man (Jesus) is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath (John 9:16).”

I want you to keep in mind that in John 9:24, the Pharisees had judged Jesus to be a sinner.  Not only had the Pharisees said those things, but because the blind man wouldn’t deny Jesus, they cast him out of the synagogue (John 9:34).

In their eyes, Jesus was a thief and robber who attempted to steal from God because He didn’t follow their rules.  Yet, when Jesus proclaimed to be the door of the sheep, He was proclaiming that He’s the True Shepherd, not a thief or robber.

When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, He told him, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17).”

Jesus came to the sheepfold through the front door and spoke.  Where the Pharisees said that He was the threat, Jesus said that His voice is the voice of comfort; it is the voice that the sheep can and do trust.  

Where the Pharisees said that He was the threat, Jesus said that He is the one who safely leads the flock, whereas the thieves and robbers lead those who follow them to destruction.

As the True Shepherd, Jesus is He who stood in the gap, sacrificing His life in the face of that which threatened the sheep.  Again, Christ said that He is the door!

Because Christ stepped into the gap to be the door of the sheepfold, the sheep gained a true caretaker/overseer.  Do you understand that this means that the sheep have one who is always watching over them?  This means that when a thief or robber tries to enter the fold some other way, posing a threat to the sheep, Jesus is there to protect.  

Because Jesus stepped into the gap and laid down His life, sin can no longer enter in and carry away the sheep that He shepherds.  Because Jesus stepped in, His sheep can trust Him to heal them, and He heals them, regardless of what day it is.  

As the True Shepherd, Jesus is the lifeline of His flock.  Jesus said to the Pharisees, “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).”  Truly, Jesus’ flock has nothing to worry about because He is adamant about making sure His flock can live and rest peacefully.

The Flock of Jesus

I would hope that hearing what a true shepherd is, and then Jesus proclaiming that He is the true shepherd, would encourage you to be under His care.  If you desire to be in Jesus’ flock, He welcomes you to come and be a part of His fold.  In John 10:9, Jesus said that all who enter by Him will be saved and will go in and out to find pasture without having to worry.

I want to highlight Jesus saying that all who enter by Him will be saved.  This promise is the same promise that Jesus made to Nicodemus when He said, “Whoever believes in Me will not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16).”

Thieves and robbers have done their best, lying that God won’t welcome this person or that person for this reason or that reason.  Yet, through His ministry, Jesus never turned anyone away from following Him.  

Again, in Matthew 11:28, Jesus welcomes, saying, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  Don’t let a thief or robber lie to you about being a part of the flock of Christ!  They don’t want you to be a part of Christ’s flock because they know when you’re a part of His flock, they can do nothing to harm you.

Again, Jesus said to all, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever (John 6:51).”  Let me be clear about this:  Jesus isn’t a stingy shepherd; He has more than enough to care for both you and me.  Moreover, Jesus desires for all of us to live, not just temporarily, but for everlasting life!

Follow the True Shepherd

All of us have reason to turn to the True Shepherd, especially today.  Again, the thieves and robbers are busy at work today, as they are brazenly attempting to rob people of happiness, leaving all of us to be desolate.

However, when you turn to Christ and let Him step into your life, you will win.  When Christ steps in, you win– He will make sure that you are loved, protected, tended to, and that your every need is met.