PONDERING... John 10:6-10

Disclaimer: This is an outline of our Youth Group lesson not the entire content.

John 10:6-10  This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.  7  So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  8  All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  9  I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.  10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

1. Door of the Sheep

This is the first of His explanations of verses 1-5. Interestingly, He did not say "I point to the door," or "I provide the door." He said He is the door. This might seem like a strange thing to call yourself. How can someone actually call themselves a door? Why would such a mundane object be used by Christ to point to His character? 

Think about what doors do. They open a way for entrance. (Even exiting is entering another space.) Now, consider another statement made by Jesus later in John's gospel.

6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. -John 14:6

The only way to be a sheep of Christ, a Christian, is to enter through Jesus. I know we addressed this before, but this point is beautiful and profound-- and true. Jesus is the only way to heaven. There is no real life apart from Him.

2. Go in and out?

This does not mean sheep will come in and out. It means that the life is found in this door, in this way. See how it says that His sheep will go in and out of the door and find pasture? It is because they are living in connection with the door (consider also that He is the shepherd) that they find food. 

We worry so much, but God says that a life in Him is a life provided for. This does not mean riches beyond imagination, but it does mean met needs.

3. All Who Came Before

This is not to be taken as everyone before, including OT prophets, were thieves, but rather those who claimed to be the door, as well. No Messiah came before Christ.

4. Purpose of the Thief

Jesus came to give us life--true and abundant. Thieves, those who oppose the truth (those who serve Satan), seek to kill, steal, and destroy...only.