NOTES for Joh 10:1-10

Today Jesus tells us that He is the shepherd and the door for His sheep. The image of the shepherd is clear and familiar. But why does Jesus connect two seemingly different things: “I am the door for the sheep” and “all who came before Me are thieves and robbers”? What do thieves and robbers have to do with a door? Apparently, the connection is indeed direct. “All who came” before Jesus were people who claimed the role of leaders of the nation. Like all leaders, they promised to lead the people to a “bright future.” The people of Israel still remembered that the only bright future could be in the Kingdom of God. But Jesus says that He Himself is the only door into that Kingdom. It is impossible to enter by another way, through a back door. Therefore, all who promise to lead people into the Kingdom while bypassing Jesus are thieves and robbers, for they are trying to steal the Lord’s sheep by enticing them with promises they know to be false.