Abundant Life vs. Empty Works: Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10
John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
The religious systems of the world, all have their formulas that you can use to make work for yourself in order that you might be accepted by God. Christianity says, there's not a single work you can do to be accepted by God. There's no way you can be good enough. There's only faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. One system built upon human effort (works, a form of godliness), the other is built upon faith (reliance and trust placed in the work of God's power in your life).
John 10:10 underscores Jesus’ promise of abundant life, which flows from trusting in Him rather than striving for acceptance through works. Many world religions emphasize rituals, moral performance, or adherence to laws to earn divine favor. This can feel like the "thief" in John 10:10, stealing peace by fostering self-reliance and never-ending effort, often leaving people spiritually exhausted or insecure about their standing with God.
Jesus goes on to explain how this life of piety founded upon human effort is fundamentally flawed because the ministry is like the hireling. Jesus contrasts himself up against these people.
John 10:11-15
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep."
This passage powerfully illustrates why a life of piety based upon works is inadequate compared to the abundant life offered through faith in Christ. It shows us that the piety is fundamentally false. Maybe not in the mind and heart of the one living in that way. But in truth, and in practice it is false because it's the ministry of the hireling. The hired hand represents religious leaders or systems that prioritize self-interest over genuine care for people. Their ministry is superficial, driven by duty, reward, or appearances rather than love. The priesthood and the "Church" programs are the love they have. Status, rank, position, robes, funny hats, all of it. These are all barriers men prop up to divide men one from another. And that's the work and will of Satan.
The Devil loves existential philosophy. And art as well. It's all subjective truth but given authority because it divides people. You're left to interpretation and perceptions. The art is left to perspective and interpretation as well. Every man must interpret it for himself. It's just an excuse to set one person apart from another. Its isolation. It divides the thoughts and feelings of the people. But Jesus declared a universal basis for truth.
John 10:16-17
"And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again."
One flock, one shepherd, one truth, one God, and one life given for all. It's a celebration of the unifying, grace-filled truth that Jesus Christ is king. Jesus the Good Shepherd. Jesus the long-awaited Messiah.
Now fast-forward, between verse 17 and 22 there's a timeline change. Following a division that occurred between the religious leaders as to whether Jesus is truly a prophet sent from God, or possibly as some thought, possessed by devils. It is now the time of the Feast of Dedication that takes place in Jerusalem, which means it was winter.
John 10:23-24
And Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
So there it is. The thing that sparks all the controversies and has been still throughout the millennia. All the controversies from one generation to the next as to whether Jesus truly claimed to be the Son of God, the Christ, the Messiah. Did he? Did he truly do it?
Decide for yourself:
John 10:25-30
Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
"I and the Father are one."
They wanted Jesus to say it plainly, "I am the Messiah". But Jesus didn't give them that satisfaction, and he explains why, because they are not his sheep. And I think, even if he had said those words, (I am the Messiah) they still wouldn't have believed him, and they still would have tried to stone him. So really at the end of the day what would it matter if he said it exactly in that manner or in the manner that he did say it? If they are predisposed to not believe him, the whole point is moot.
And this controversy brings us right back to where we began. With the existential philosophy and the works mentality. Jesus is literally and physically performing miraculous works. For those who love the works mentality this should be enough, more than enough. But it only leads to more questions in their minds because their minds are unsettled because their minds are fixated upon human endeavor and not the supernatural. They talk a lot about works that please God, but in truth, there are only trying to please themselves. And we see this still today. Their demand for "plain" proof (v. 24) despite Jesus’ works mirrors modern skepticism that prioritizes personal interpretation over divine revelation. The leaders’ dismissal of Jesus’ miracles reflects a broader human tendency to rationalize away God’s work.
Romans 10:3
"For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness."
That's the rub right there. They seek to establish their own righteousness. They're not really interested in serving the Messiah, they seek their own glory craving self-pleasing works. It aligns with Jesus’ critique of the Pharisees’ hypocrisy (e.g., Matthew 23:27-28), where outward piety hides a rejection of God’s power.
2 Timothy 3:5
"having a form of godliness but denying its power."
On the other hand, Jesus’ promises abundant life in John 10:10, and it is no empty claim, it’s the heartbeat of His mission as the Good Shepherd. Unlike the thief of works-based religion or the hired hand of self-serving piety, Jesus lays down His life to unite all people as "one flock, one shepherd" (John 10:16). He is the long-awaited Messiah, the King who brings eternal life through faith, not human effort.
His works, miracles, teachings, and compassion, testify to His identity, yet the leaders reject Him because they are not His sheep. It's because in truth their priesthoods and orders, and the Church are atheistic conclaves masked in religion. The leaders’ disbelief mirrors the thief’s work, stealing their ability to embrace the abundant life Jesus offers.
Jesus did acknowledge his Messiahship, he did acknowledge it to his disciples and to the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. He acknowledged it to those who can hear him.
So, again it comes down to faith. Existentialism doesn't get the job done. Self-revelation, founded and grounded upon our choices and experiences, doesn't get the job done.
Todays devotion challenges us to identify even one way in which works mentality or subjectivity tempts us (e.g., striving for approval or doubting Jesus’ power). Think about it, ponder on it, and then, counter it by meditating on a miracle of Jesus (e.g., John 11:43-44) and thanking Him for His finished work. This is what the gospel truth does for those who build their faith upon the scriptures. It gives them God's voice on these things. And because they are people of faith they have ears and eyes of faith. So they hear God's words and believe. They have abundant life. Ab abundance of truth.
Prayer:
Good Shepherd, Lord Jesus, thank You for Your truth that unites and Your works that prove You are the Messiah. Forgive me for chasing subjective lies or works-based approval. Open my heart to Your supernatural grace, and let me hear Your voice as Your sheep. Unite me with Your flock, secure in Your abundant life. Amen.
P.S. (Extra Credit)
A Bible that is highlighted and marked up with notes and comments is a reflection of that Spirit at work in the one who loves the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the Spirit speaking, highlighting, and drawing attention to the things His children need to really hear deep down.
For the glory of God illuminates it. It's Him who is doing the highlighting.
2 Corinthians 4:6
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Amen and amen.