THE THIEF

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

I like to visit thrift shops and secondhand stores sometimes looking for treasures. Once when I was in Sacramento I stopped by a Good Will store to see what I could find. I discovered a few interesting things, and as I was standing in the checkout line I noticed an older man exiting the store with bag of purchases. He seemed like a nice elderly gentleman as he casually walked outside.

All of a sudden an alarm went off! The loud noise was very irritating and the security guard at the entrance ran after the pleasant old man. The security guard stopped the man and began talking to him. The guard spoke with him a few minutes and then escorted the elderly man back into the store. The strange thing was after the old man reentered the store he didn’t stop. As the security guard walked over to talk to the manager, the old man continued walking back to the rear of the store zigzagging through the clothes racks in a casual, but determined manner. The perceptive checker who was waiting on me told the security guard to follow the man, because he was probably trying to put back what he had stolen. The security guard ran and retrieved the old man and brought him up to the front of the store. I noticed as this agreeable old man came into my view that he was wearing different shoes than he had been when leaving the store. Apparently he had decided to make a few purchases and try to obtain a free pair of shoes as well. Despite his pleasant respectable appearance, he was a thief.

Jesus warns us in scripture about thieves. He contrasts their purposes and desires with those of His own. In John 10:7‑10 it says,

 

“I tell you the truth; I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

 

In this parable Jesus is using an analogy. We are the sheep and Jesus is the gate. Gates are restrictive. They are the only proper way to enter corrals, rooms or buildings. Jesus is saying here that He is the only proper way to enter heavenly pastures.

 

Gates require planning as to their placement and construction. From the beginning of the world plans were made for Jesus to be the gate by which all His sheep would enter eternal life. Throughout the Old Testament groundwork was laid preparing the world for the Savior who was to come. The structure of offerings and sacrifices that God established for Israel, the Ten Commandments and the Law, the numerous prophecies of a coming Messiah, all these were to lay a foundation and prepare the world for the work of Jesus Christ.

Gates also require effort to open. While the penalty of sin was paid for by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, we are not saved unless we open the gate. We open the gate to eternal life by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. That’s the requirement. It’s free for the taking, but requires us to take that step of accepting Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and making the commitment that we will honor Him by obeying God’s Word and living according to what He calls us to, a life of holiness.

 

Jesus calls those who came before Him promising eternal life or rewards; thieves and robbers. Just like the elderly man in the thrift shop who appeared innocent enough, robbers sometimes have the appearance of respectability. They often can deceive and mislead others into believing that what they say and represent is the truth. 2 Peter 2:1‑3 talks about these thieves and robbers, they are called false prophets or false teachers,

 

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them‑bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”

 

So thieves and robbers are also liars. They will attempt to preach and teach false doctrine and beliefs so as to lead you astray. As God’s children we need to test all things with God’s Word and fellowship with other Christians so that we can gain wise counsel on how to live and serve our Lord.

 

The contrast between Jesus and the thieves and robbers is dramatic. Thieves come to steal, kill and destroy. Thieves and robbers come for selfish gain. They care about no one but themselves. Not only can they take what is not theirs, they can also take human life or destroy what belongs to others. The work of a thief is destruction and death.

 

Jesus came to give life; but not just ordinary life. Jesus came to give us ABUNDANT LIFE! The life Christ gives us as Christians is more than a better life, it is life full of purpose, full of hope, full of serving a God who made all things and who rules over all things. Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, loves us deeply. He cares for us and has our best interest at heart. What a contrast!

 

Have you entered the gate? Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? If you have, have you shared this good news, the hope of eternal life with those that thieves and robbers are trying to kill and destroy? GO! Tell others about the Good Shepherd who desires that all come to Him. We must seek to gather the sheep and bring them through the gate into the heavenly pastures that God promises.

 

1 Peter 2:25

“For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

 

Matthew 10:16

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

 

Hebrews 13:20‑21

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”