Robber

John 9:40-10:1,10 – Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber… The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Psalm 23:1 – The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

Ezekiel 34:2,11 – “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?... “‘For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them.

Zechariah 10:2 – The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd.

Application:

• ·         The thief’s interest is in himself. Christ’s interest is in His sheep, whom He enables to have life to the full.
• ·         God Himself was called the “Shepherd of Israel”, and He had given great responsibility to the leaders of Israel, which they failed to respect.
• ·         Having dealt with the faithless shepherds, the Lord committed Himself to shepherd His flock.
• ·         “Shepherds of Israel” were those responsible for providing leadership, especially the kings and their officials, but also the prophets and priests.
• ·         “Lack of a shepherd” means spiritual leadership is missing.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV