Steal, Kill, Destroy

Steal

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Steal

1: to take the property of another wrongfully and especially as a habitual or regular practice

2: to come or go secretly, unobtrusively, gradually, or unexpectedly

Have you ever been stolen from? How did you feel?

How you feel about it depends on the value you place on the stolen item.

Growing up I remember that someone stole my mom’s car...

Time-consuming?/Steals your time

File a report

Make an insurance claim

Find out how you’ll get around now

Worry about finances

If someone breaks into your house and steals your valuables - you feel violated, insecure, the one place where you ought to feel safe is your house and you’re not even at peace in your own home.

I’ve had bikes stolen, computer (at church), my guitar

You may feel sorry for the person who felt like they had to commit a crime in order to obtain something of value so they could sell

people who steal usually sell or give away what they steal because keeping it is a constant reminder of what they have done.

Have you ever stolen anything?

The thief has to convince himself that he has the right to the object he desires. He needs it more than the other person does.

Some steal for the thrill of the excitement - they are called “kleptomaniacs” - the Greek word for steal is klepto - steal

maniac - ? well a maniac!

Jesus warns us of a thief so that we be aware of his tactics and in order to preserve our lives and stay alive!

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John 10:10 NIV

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

This thief not only steals ?but since he can’t steal by calling your name, he’ll use violence. Take you by force.

kills, take you out. deprive you of your life

destroys, you’re not dead, but your condition seems to be beyond repair.

Background

Jesus heals a blind man (John 9)

Pharisees couldn’t bring themselves to admit that the blind man had been healed by Jesus.

the blind man is expelled from the synagogue because of this

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John 10:1 NIV

1 “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.

Characteristics of the Thief

Target: The sheep

Location: The Sheep pen

Method: Jump over the fence, not through the gate

Jesus begins to lay out to the Pharisees the following:

You haven’t entered into the kingdom the right way.

you have climbed over the fence and instead of being a shepherd you really are thieves.

You have destroyed the pasture (Food - word of God) upon which the sheep feed.

you have to go through the right way (front door) but in order to go through the front door you have to go through Jesus, but they refused to acknowledge Jesus as the shepherd who stands watch over the sheep at the entrance.

The shepherd would be like a human gate posted at the entrance to avoid intruders.

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John 10:2–3 NIV

2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

How can you tell who the true shepherd is?

He’ll come in through the gate (vs 2)

The gate will be opened for him

The sheep know his voice

When Jesus brings us to the Father, he’s the gate (John 14:6)

When he takes care of us, he’s the shepherd

He knows us each by name

Knowing someone’s name is powerful

We could argue, ... that fame can be defined as being known by a large number of people who the famous person does not know in return. In the classroom, knowing students’ names is one way to remove a layer of status hierarchies. Some professors even insist on being called by their first names as well.

Knowing who people are also bolsters informal social control; when we are known and not anonymous, we are more likely to behave in ways that reflect positively on our identities. If students know that I know who they are, they may (but certainly not always) make a point of coming to class more regularly than they would if they blended in with the crowd. - Karen Sternheimer https://www.everydaysociologyblog.com/2014/01/the-importance-of-knowing-names.html

Phillip Samaan (remembered my name)

Psalm 118:20 NIV

20 This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter.

John 10:4 NIV

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.