Thursday, May 4, 2006
John 10:10 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber . . . The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."
THE SHEEP-KILLER
The Devil himself was the first sheep-killer. He climbed over the walls of the Garden of Eden and wearing the form of a serpent, he whispered lies in Eve's ear. He came to steal what was rightfully God's. He came to kill what the Creator loved dearly. And He came to destroy God's perfect creation, starting with the crown of that creation, mankind.
Sadly, Eve did not recognize the stranger's voice. She did not flee from the Serpent like a frightened lamb. Instead she listened to His damning advice and before they brought a single child into the world, Adam and Eve brought sin and death into the world (Genesis 2:17, 3:6; Romans 5:12).
Isaiah describes how all of Adam's children have lived ever since: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way . . ." (Isaiah 53:6).
But Jesus has hope for us wandering sinners. The Devil came into the world to steal, kill and destroy. But the Good Shepherd came to win life and salvation for the wandering sheep. Through the death of the Good Shepherd, the Devil was defeated and our sins were erased.
But how well would a flock do with a dead shepherd! And, of course, that's why Jesus didn't stay dead for long. He has a flock to tend and life to distribute. So, do not fret my fellow sheep. Abundant life is ours today in Christ. Though unseen, He stands powerfully beside us as The Good Shepherd. Listen for His voice in the scriptures and follow that voice, for it leads on to pastures beyond what we can imagine.
