In reading more of John 10, I found that John 10:1 tells us just who this thief is: “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!”
And John 10:9 tells us who the gate is, “Yes, I (Jesus) am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.”
Matthew 7:14 tells us some more about the Gate, “For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
So, it seems to me that no wonder the thief and robber doesn’t want to go through the Gate but tries to sneak around it and get in among the sheep another way. The Gate is too constricting, too difficult, does not fit the thief’s lifestyle. Maybe, because it is narrow, the thief/robber has to get rid of some of his goods/baggage that he is carrying his stolen loot in to get through.
Sure seems better to go through the Gate and be under the loving care of the Good Shepherd.
Interesting pieces you have sewn together for our review Debi. Giving a little thought to John 10:1 you have quoted, I’m not quite sure I’m understanding just how to live in a way that demonstrates this. So I scouted out this chapter from “International Children’s Bible.” I found a little comfort in vs 6, “Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.”
“The Shepherd and His Sheep
10 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. The man who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The man who guards the door opens it for him. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out. 4 He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. They follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger. They will run away from him because they don’t know his voice.” 6 Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.
Jesus Is the Good Shepherd
7 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth. I am the door for the sheep. 8 All the people who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. The person who enters through me will be saved. He will be able to come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. But I came to give life—life in all its fullness.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12 The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd who owns them. So when the worker sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me, 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I give my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not in this flock here. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The Father loves me because I give my life. I give my life so that I can take it back again. 18 No one takes it away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.”
19 Again the Jews did not agree with each other because of these words Jesus said. 20 Many of them said, “A demon has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?”
21 But others said, “A man who is crazy with a demon does not say things like this. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
As I continue to read I’m beginning to see the deep contrast of the thief and the I am!
I thought thefootnotes from the NIV for John 10: 10-12, would be good to share here. “In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life. The life he gives right now is abundantly richer and fuller. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately. Life in Christ is lived on a higher plane because of his overflowing forgiveness, love, and guidance. Have you taken Christ’s offer of life? A hired hand tends the sheep for money, while the shepherd does it for love. The shepherd owns the sheep and is committed to them. Jesus is not merely doing a job; he is committed to love us and even lay down his life for us. False teachers and false prophets do not have this commitment.”
I enjoy sharing the footnotes, as I think it helps one (me) understand some of what God may be saying to the reader? I am thankful for Bible teachers like you, Sara, and others that can help with explaining His Word. 🙏
Thank you Tammy for being an encourager. I Thessalonians 5:11 Find your ID here“…encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.:
thedailylily.com 
In reading more of John 10, I found that John 10:1 tells us just who this thief is: “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!”
And John 10:9 tells us who the gate is, “Yes, I (Jesus) am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.”
Matthew 7:14 tells us some more about the Gate, “For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
So, it seems to me that no wonder the thief and robber doesn’t want to go through the Gate but tries to sneak around it and get in among the sheep another way. The Gate is too constricting, too difficult, does not fit the thief’s lifestyle. Maybe, because it is narrow, the thief/robber has to get rid of some of his goods/baggage that he is carrying his stolen loot in to get through.
Sure seems better to go through the Gate and be under the loving care of the Good Shepherd.
Interesting pieces you have sewn together for our review Debi. Giving a little thought to John 10:1 you have quoted, I’m not quite sure I’m understanding just how to live in a way that demonstrates this. So I scouted out this chapter from “International Children’s Bible.” I found a little comfort in vs 6, “Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.”
“The Shepherd and His Sheep
10 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth. The man who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The man who guards the door opens it for him. And the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep, using their names, and he leads them out. 4 He brings all of his sheep out. Then he goes ahead of them and leads them. They follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger. They will run away from him because they don’t know his voice.” 6 Jesus told the people this story, but they did not understand what it meant.
Jesus Is the Good Shepherd
7 So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth. I am the door for the sheep. 8 All the people who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. The person who enters through me will be saved. He will be able to come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy. But I came to give life—life in all its fullness.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12 The worker who is paid to keep the sheep is different from the shepherd who owns them. So when the worker sees a wolf coming, he runs away and leaves the sheep alone. Then the wolf attacks the sheep and scatters them. 13 The man runs away because he is only a paid worker. He does not really care for the sheep.
14 “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me, 15 just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I give my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not in this flock here. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The Father loves me because I give my life. I give my life so that I can take it back again. 18 No one takes it away from me. I give my own life freely. I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.”
19 Again the Jews did not agree with each other because of these words Jesus said. 20 Many of them said, “A demon has come into him and made him crazy. Why listen to him?”
21 But others said, “A man who is crazy with a demon does not say things like this. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”
As I continue to read I’m beginning to see the deep contrast of the thief and the I am!
“As I continue to read I’m beginning to see the deep contrast of the thief and the I am!”
Yes, reading these verses you posted, Sara, do help us to see that contrast!
I thought thefootnotes from the NIV for John 10: 10-12, would be good to share here. “In contrast to the thief who takes life, Jesus gives life. The life he gives right now is abundantly richer and fuller. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately. Life in Christ is lived on a higher plane because of his overflowing forgiveness, love, and guidance. Have you taken Christ’s offer of life? A hired hand tends the sheep for money, while the shepherd does it for love. The shepherd owns the sheep and is committed to them. Jesus is not merely doing a job; he is committed to love us and even lay down his life for us. False teachers and false prophets do not have this commitment.”
Thanks once again Tammy for your footnotes. It cleared up a few questions in my mind.
I enjoy sharing the footnotes, as I think it helps one (me) understand some of what God may be saying to the reader? I am thankful for Bible teachers like you, Sara, and others that can help with explaining His Word. 🙏
Thank you Tammy for being an encourager. I Thessalonians 5:11 Find your ID here“…encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.: