The Assignment!

The Assignment!

John 10:10 KJV

[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

We had made reference to several places where Jesus addressed just His disciples, with the lessons solely for those who he had chosen to mentor, but there were times too that the message was directed at the crowd and the undecided many. Today's verse is one of those messages directed to all those who were present there, disciples and others. The main idea behind the message here was to make a distinction between the shepherd and a hireling. This distinction has both earthly and eternal consequences, and must not be taken lightly. The shepherd has a close and cordial relationship with the sheep, and that is why you will read things like: 'my sheep knows my voice'. That is a very deep thing to say. It comes from a place of consistent exposure and regular attention. Such conviction comes from a place where the sheep has spent time with the shepherd, and they know Him quite well. 

Does the above describe what I have now with Jesus as the Good Shepherd? I must also note there is a contrary power, who wants to counter that which the shepherd offers, and the passage from where the verse above is taken refers to him as a hireling, and in some instances, a thief. A thief does not care about the value you place on your possession or your person; as long as you treat it without caution or carelessly, be sure that the thief will pick it up. The mission of the thief is laid out clearly in the verse above: to steal, to kill and to destroy. I note that the word AND is used, and not OR. It is not as if the devil is given only one option; he has the power to do all, but he does not announce himself with any noise. He starts by trying to take what he cannot produce: God's peace, the assurance of God's love, your hope for tomorrow. Once he is able to make you doubt what you have, he is already on the way to taking over your life. 

Thank God that the story does not end with the perspective of the thief. There is someone greater and more powerful than the thief. This is Jesus, the Life Himself. No matter how much the devil lies about his spread or reach, he cannot defeat the One who tasted and conquered death for all of us. This is the One who makes the categorical statement that He has come to give Life. The same people that the devil the thief tries to deceive are the same ones Jesus is speaking to here. He will not only give Life; He has the abundant version. He came to give Life to all who are interested, and who will take Him up on His offer. He does not force Himself on anyone or go against the exercise of a man's freewill, but be sure that He will display His power and splendor in the life of anyone who dares come to Him. If you want true Life, come to the One who lives forever. That is His assignment, and you can be sure He can see it to the end. God's time of favour is here.