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b'In college, I shared an apartment with a buddy. We lived in complete poverty: we owned a couch, a desk, a chair, and an old TV. Late one afternoon, I fell asleep on the floor. I heard some noise and assumed it was my roommate rummaging around. It wasn\\u2019t.\\nA guy had broken in by slicing a hole through our bedroom screen. Even though I heard him, I pretended to sleep, which is a good thing since he carried a knife. I can\\u2019t imagine a more disappointed thief as he wandered through our sparse apartment, ultimately leaving empty-handed.\\nJesus describes a different thief\\u2014followed by a stark contrast\\u2014in John 10:10, saying, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Those are powerful words. Stealing. Killing. Destroying. The thief cares not about you or me. A thief will take what isn\\u2019t theirs and may harm others in the process. Satan, the greatest thief of all, wants your joy, peace, and even your very life. He hates God and the people He has created.\\nBut here\\u2019s the contrast, found later in verse 10. Jesus the Good Shepherd is willing to lay down His life to protect the sheep. The sheep are His people\\u2014those who have put their trust in Him. He not only protects the sheep but has \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d Sheep are very vulnerable to predators, but the Good Shepherd provides both safety and abundant life, safeguarding them from thieves who want their death.\\nJesus accomplished all this by laying down His life for His sheep, providing the ultimate sacrifice at the cross. He gave His life so the thief would not take ours. A hired hand might run, but a real shepherd will safeguard his sheep, even to the point of death. If our trust is in Christ alone, we can rest: the promise of the Good Shepherd is that He will not lose a single sheep (John 6:39). \\u2022 Mike Hurley\\n\\u2022 Why do you think Jesus uses the image of sheep and shepherd as a metaphor for people and God? \\n\\u2022 Jesus offers us life and peace through His death and resurrection\\u2014while sin and Satan only offer us death. To learn more about how Jesus saves us from sin and death, check out our \\u201cKnow Jesus\\u201d page.\\nA thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. John 10:10 (CSB)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nJohn 10:10-18'