Thief and a Robber

Jhn 10:1¶Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Jesus claims to be not only the Good Shepherd, but also the DOOR ( see verse 7) by which one is to enter thru to be a part of the “sheepfold”. In verse one he uses a description of one who “climbeth” up an other way as being a thief and a robber. Isn’t a thief and a robber one in the same. Why would Jesus use those descriptions?

First of all lets define a thief. Webster defines a thief as: one that steals especially stealthily or secretly; also : one who commits theft or larceny. So here we have a thief who by stealth attempts to do thievery. Now Jesus also uses the description of “a robber”; how does Webster define robber: to take something away from by force : steal from (2): to take personal property from by violence or threat. This is how most of us think of a robber, violent and threatening. The interesting thing here is Jesus does not say a thief or robber, but implies one in the same, “thief and a robber”. So what we have here is a stealthy, secretive, violent and threatening foe who is attempting to steal something of value. This is a rather accurate description of satan.

At first glance one might think the object of this thief is to steal the sheep. However, I believe this thief wants to steal what the sheep have, by infiltrating the sheep fold. He thinks by any means possible he can mingle with the sheep, influence the sheep, and thereby assume the identity of the sheep; therefore having opportunity to accomplish his real mission as described in verse 10,” The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly”. There it is, the thief wants to steal our eternal life. And the Good shepherd, thru his sacrifice makes that in possible, verse 11: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep".