Key Text: John 10
Additional Texts: James 4: 10, John 3: 16; 2 Corinthians 3: 1 – 6; 2 Peter 3: 9; John 8: 12; John 6: 35; Colossians 1: 12 – 18
As usual, it is helpful to read the texts prior to reading the article, but also possible to read them afterwards if you are short on time.
This series has continued for longer than I initially planned. It explores lessons we may learn about God through Jesus’ candidness, as well as His actions as demonstrated in His time on earth – needless to say, there is a lot we could learn from Him which cannot be neatly contained in a blog!
Have you ever been in a situation – perhaps one that was incredibly overwhelming and almost drained your energy or other resources? Problems abound in our world – it seems new variants of them arise daily! They surface as a result of the fallen nature of our world, our poor choices, or direct attacks from the enemy of our souls. What can we do to overcome in such circumstances?
In the key text, Jesus continues His ministry, giving insight into His plans for mankind. He blatantly refers to the enemy as a sneaky thief, attacking through crafty, deceptive means which are ultimately aimed at robbery, death and destruction. The vivid imagery of a daring villain, bent on destroying the metaphorical sheep’s relationship and proximity with their master, reminds us of the enemy’s commitment to damage or destroy our connection with God, who promises us eternal life. Most people would react immediately if they sense a criminal’s intent on harming them. Screams. Shouts. Calls for help and even attempts at self-defence are natural when the danger is discerned. However, the threat is not perceived as easily when the attack is subtle. Sometimes, by the time we realise the thief has begun to take our valuables: joy, focus on our purpose, opportunity to have peace with God and His gift of eternal life, relationships and the like, (too many to number!),so much has been lost that it becomes increasingly difficult to be restored.
To counter this, Jesus candidly offers a solution through His references to His nature as the Good Shepherd. This Good Shepherd, highly invested in the safety and wellbeing of His sheep, promises salvation and green pastures to anyone who accepts Him. Sheep thrive on excellent care and nutrition. The attentiveness of the Saviour to His flock in Jesus’ imagery symbolises His commitment to providing such conditions for the sheep’s growth; it indicates a stark contrast: life vs death.
Unlike the vengeful thief – the enemy of our souls (whose schemes are manifested in many ways), Jesus teaches that He offers life. The Good Shepherd has no desire to harm us and offers light, enough to outshine the darkness with which we are often surrounded (John 1: 1 – 5). Not only does Jesus promise life (eternal), but He also promises it in abundance; this does not refer to materialism or freedom from trials, but rather the assurance of His presence and grace for all seasons, including those that would otherwise have overwhelmed us. The promise to give us life does not negate suffering, but provides help when we need it.
As well as the promise of eternal life, Jesus gives assurance that He knows His sheep personally, and they know Him. This nurturing relationship to anyone who receives it is undoubtedly restorative (John 3: 16); to be known by God is a blessing! The Good Shepherd is also sacrificial by laying down His life for His sheep; this loving act provided the catalyst for the close and nourishing relationship that results from a walk with Him. Ultimately, the abundant life that God promises through Jesus supports us through life, prepares us for eternal life, and while we are here, enables us to fulfil our purposes and callings for His glory (2 Corinthians 3: 1 – 6). That’s the ultimate life cover! Your most astounding life insurance policy can’t supersede that!
With such an offer of life that restores, Jesus aptly and bluntly exposed the pitfalls of the alternative. The enemy of our souls has only three aims – to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus did not circumvent – He made it clear that regardless of the appeal, the enemy seeks to entice us to destroy destroy us. Alternatively to being destroyed by persistent sin, we could be destroyed through distress and tension which arises when we are under pressure. The enemy knows committed believers will not quit, but nonetheless tries to discourage us and seeks to create circumstances that may steal our faith if mismanaged. Even if you read this with an assurance of a relationship with God, refuse to arrogantly perceive yourself as invincible! As mentioned earlier, as we walk with God, our strength comes from Him, but we must be aware that we are prone to attempts of theft and destruction (1 Corinthians 10: 12 – 13). The deceptive thief deserves no air play or recognition, but we must be aware that the enemy, studies its targets, and knows where to plan attacks on what we value. This awareness of its craftiness should ideally compel us to rely more on God. Many of us have been there fellow pilgrims: a situation which leaves us feeling incapable of continuing in strong faith, whether it was a result of a direct attack, others’ sins, or our own poor choices. Regardless of the origin, anything that threatens to steal or destroy that which we (and God!) value is designed to derail us from our relationship with Him – the thief on its mission!
Jesus’ candid caution about the nature of the enemy was given to remind us that His offer of life is the worthwhile antithesis! It’s not complicated: He wants the best for us – a life that is abundant with Him on the journey. God’s not a thief – banish the thought planted by the enemy. If He removes anything from your life, though His purpose may be unclear, His ultimate aim is for you to live the life He called you to. Indeed, if He removes anything from our lives (even good things and people), He is still able to get us to destiny (Philippians 1: 6). He is able to restore us as we navigate and survive seasons of unrest, chaos and confusion, allowing us to emerge with testimonies which essentially encourage others.
The enemy in contrast, steals our valuables to ultimately rob us of a walk with God and eternal life with Him. Regardless of the nature of the malady, anything that threatens or is intended to steal faith, hope, fellowship and unity with others in the body of Christ (it’s His Church!), or ultimately our identity in Christ is on assignment to kill, steal and destroy us. It has no good intentions for us. I can’t speak for anyone else but I much prefer to have the abundant life God promises as seen in Jesus’ candidness (even when it attracts the enemy’s hate), knowing His trustworthy character and proven record of love (John 3: 16; Romans 5: 1 – 11). The enemy’s notoriety for theft, deceit and destruction designed to derail us from God’s purpose also speaks for itself, but its sure end, determined by its Sovereign Creator (Revelation 20), also attests to the superiority and worth in Jesus’ offer – a more fulfilling life on earth, and eternal life at the end of it as we know it in the flesh.
My sincere prayer is that if there is deception from the enemy which blinds anyone to how it subtly steals from them, intending to destroy their potential to serve God, it will be exposed, and Jesus’ candid gift of life will be accepted. To reiterate, the enemy of our souls has no good intentions and never will – all it seeks is to destroy our opportunity to have eternal life – a gift it will never regain after attempting to equalise itself to God (Luke 10: 18). Thankfully, Jesus is no thief like the enemy or anyone or anything it uses to kill, steal or destroy us (false prophets who pervert the Word, subtly divisive spirits, blatant lies or attacks, temptations to disobey God, stormy trials and the like). Indeed, He promises restoration and life, and is so committed to giving us life that He will even use what the enemy means to use to kill, steal and destroy us for His glory and our good (Romans 8: 28; Genesis 50: 20). I sincerely pray that He will work in our lives to achieve this, and also that you and I will grow in discernment, readily identifying any sneaky strategy, plot or scheme in which the thief is at work and refusing to entertain it. (See the previous series on Discernment for more about this topic). The onus lies within us to test every spirit and qualify our choices, connections, and anyone we allow to influence us through the lens of our God-given and Biblical wisdom (1 John 4: 1 – 6). (Even if you have no relationship with God), simply, if something or someone will ultimately cause you to sin or engage in anything that will be damaging to you or others, lose things which matter to God and His purpose for you (including His plan for you to have abundant and eternal life), consider whether it is a plan of the destructive thief against you and refuse to submit to it by asking God to help you through His trustworthy and Holy Spirit.
As usual, if all you can muster is a few moments, a minute or five today, talk to God about your thoughts about His offer of life, or anything the enemy has tried to use to harm you – He hears. He is also able to deliver you in His time and help you to overcome (Colossians 1; Psalm 34). Talk to Him about your thoughts about ways in which you have observed the enemy’s theft and interference in the lives of those with whom you are connected, or those you are otherwise aware of. He hears whether you’re confused, angry at Him, otherwise committed or unbothered about Him, and is wholeheartedly willing to support you and your loved ones through restoration which triumphs over the defeated enemy’s attempts at theft and destruction. Restoration over life.
Heartfelt Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for Your offer of life. Help me to understand how to avoid the deception of the enemy, designed to ultimately kill, steal and destroy. Help me to understand what it means for me in this season to walk in consciousness of Your gift of life. I ask these mercies in Your Son’s – Jesus’ name. Amen.
