Pastor Maselo Mosomane
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers. Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them” John 10:1-6
The whole thing started when Jesus restored sight to a young boy who was born blind. It was on the Sabbath day. Some of the Pharisees were offended. They said; “This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” They accused Him of performing miracles through the help of demons – Satan being the chief of them.
In reply to that, Jesus cited this illustration we quoted above. He drew a contrasting picture of Himself and Satan. Jesus used this illustration to explain who He was and what made Him to be who He claims to be.
May we unpack the illustration and see what Jesus was really saying. I believe it is only after such exercise that we will be able to relate the illustration to our own lives. Jesus talked about the following;
1. The sheepfold (represents the earth)
2. The door (represents the passage of birth)
3. A thief (represent Satan)
4. A robber (also represent Satan)
With these four comparisons; let us attempt to put the pieces back together again. Jesus is saying; the earth we live in is like a sheepfold – a kraal. It has a door; and that door is the only legitimate way to enter through. There is only one legitimate way to enter into the earth; by the door and that door is the passage of birth. For any life to be legitimate on this earth; it’s got to come in through birth.
No one will enter this earth without being born. We all entered this earth through birth. Anyone who will enter the other way round is illegitimate. Jesus says such person gained entrances illegally. He “climbs up some other way” The NLT says he “sneaked over the wall” The good news is that none of us is guilty of such offence. We came in through the gate and are thus true citizens of this planet.
But who got in this earth other than through the gate? Who is here on earth without being born? I think we must find him and stay way from him because he is not one with us. He is an alien. Who is he?
“Jesus said that’s no me; and He gave account of His birth. I was born in Bethlehem and was laid in a manger. I’ve got witnesses to the account of my birth. My birth was registered and I have a birth certificate. It was decreed by Augustus, the Roman emperor that all people should register for census at their places of origin. Because my parents were descendants of King David, they had to travel to Bethlehem to register. The Roman records bear witness to that.
My mother was expectant with me and it was her month. At arrival, my parents found no place to lodge. They helped themselves in a stable. That’s where I was born. Wise men from the east came to witness my birth. They were thereafter followed by shepherds from the country side who claimed that an angel from heaven gave them the announcement.
Eight days later, I was circumcised and was named Jesus; the name given to me by an angel before I was conceived. When it was time for my parents to bring their purification offering as requested by the Law of Moses after the birth of a child; my parents took me along in order to dedicate me to the Lord. An old man by the name of Simeon was there that day and he saw us. He took me in his arms and prophesied over my life. This particular record can be found in the Jewish history. Josephus, the Jewish historian did a good job in this regard.
Late, Herod also endorsed my birth by ordering that all male children who were born around that time i.e. two years and younger should be killed. By the instruction of an angel my parents secretly escaped with me and took refuge in Africa until Herod died. We came back and settled in Nazareth – that’s where I grew up. At twelve; my parents and I went to Jerusalem for an annual feast. I remained behind. When my parents realized that I was not among the group from our village, they checked with the other groups as well. When they could not find me, they went back to Jerusalem where they found me in the temple with the priests. They were really upset with me. I respected my parents but at the same time I knew that “I must be about My Father’s business” I told them.
You see; I came in this earth legally. There is enough evidence to proof that. I had siblings too; James, Joses, Simon, and Judas. I also had sisters. Salome was one of them.
You say I perform miracles by the help of Satan? Since you saw it fit to compare me with him in operation; will it not be fair enough to give him an equal opportunity to present his case so you can complete your comparison in birth as well? (The writer’s paraphrase)
Well friend; it’s time for Satan to make presentation about the account of his birth. Does he have any? No, he has none, unfortunately. He has;
1. No mother – he was not born
2. No father
3. No brother
4. No sister
5. No family
6. No relative
7. No job – he is retrenched
No! He has none and nothing. He is an alien. The problem with a person like this is that he is accountable to no one and is thus law to himself. This is what Satan is. He submits to no one.
Because he did not use the door to come into this world; Jesus calls him a THIEVE and a ROBBER. He “climbed up some other way, sneaking over the wall” We do not need anyone to tell us how dangerous a thieve, or a robber is. We all know how to stay away from such persons. This is how dangerous Satan is.
SATAN DID NOT COME THROUGH THE DOOR OF LIFE;
HE IS A THIEVE AND A ROBBER
HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH HIM OR HE WILL SOON HURT YOU.
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