The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

By Tom Shanklin

“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, NKJV)

I am so glad that we have happy good news to give people about a Savior who gives life and life more abundantly. Our God is the God who is more than enough. His name is El Shaddai, not El Cheapo, and He has provided abundantly for us through Jesus Christ.

As it says in Romans, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, NKJV) Before we come to Christ, we are dead in our trespasses and sins, but through Jesus Christ, we are resurrected to life and life more abundantly.

If Jesus had just said, “I have come that you might have life,” that would have been enough, but He not only came so we might have abundant life. Abundant life means ALL the benefits of the Gospel, everything that was purchased at Calvary—deliverance from sin and its power, redemption from the curse, victory over Satan, and the power of an overflowing life. These are blessings that are yours through the cross which extend into every area of your life and your family. It is a life that is so abundant that it is spilling out and touching lives wherever you go.

But Jesus said that there is also a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy. In verse one we read, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (John 10:1, NKJV). So the thief and robber is one who promises to get you into heaven another way. Perhaps it is religious works or church membership, or a ceremony, or obedience to the rules of man. The robber is climbing up another way in order to bypass Jesus.

But Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” (John 10:9, NKJV). Jesus is the only door into the sheepfold. In other words, He is the only legitimate entrance into the sheepfold of God. He is the one door and by that door, we can legally enter into the presence of God and find life and life more abundantly.

The problem began after God created man in his image and put him into a wonderful garden. Adam and Eve were living in paradise and experiencing the presence of God. But then they committed high treason, sinned against God, and obeyed the serpent, or Satan. When they did this they became ashamed and hid themselves from the presence of the Lord. Through their sin, they had built a barrier between themselves and God.

Then we see that God pronounced a judgment upon the man and the woman and upon the serpent. Then He sent the man and the woman from the garden (paradise) and set a guard to the way back into the garden and the tree of life that was in the garden. “So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24, NKJV).

So we see not only did man separate himself from God through his sin, but God also separated man from the tree of life, because He did not want man to partake of the life of God in His fallen state. So when Jesus said, “I am the door,” He was saying, “I am the way back into the presence of God. I am the way back to the tree of life. The angels with the flaming sword will allow you back in … if you come by Me. I am the only way!”

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11, KJV. Jesus died on a cruel cross, so you and I could have life. He literally took the punishment that you and I deserved so we could be forgiven and receive access to the tree of life.

When Jesus died on the cross, He totally exonerated us of guilt and shame, reconciling us to God. When He rose from the dead, He opened the door for us to receive His life, the very resurrection life of God.

The good shepherd leads you into eternal life. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.“ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28, NKJV). You can be safe and secure in the hands of Jesus! You will know Him personally. You will hear His voice and the voice of a stranger you will not follow.

Put your trust in Jesus and Him alone today. Pray this prayer from your heart.

Dear Father, Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins. Today I put my trust only in your Son Jesus. I believe you raised Him from the dead. I turn from sin and confess Jesus is my Lord. I will follow the Good Shepherd. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me new life today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Recent Posts…