It wasn’t that long ago that in many homes we didn’t even need to lock the door at night. Now there are increasing numbers of gated communities, people have multiple layers of door and window locks, there are audio/video monitoring systems as well as alarms to alert us of an intruder. In parallel with the physical world, there are also increasing attacks in the digital world, also known as “cyber attacks”.
According to IBM, “Cyber attacks are unwelcome attempts to steal, expose, alter, disable or destroy information through unauthorized access to computer systems.”
Our world is full of these cyber attacks. Around the globe there are hackers and like the mafia or “organized crime”, there are organized groups of hackers. These attacks are motivated by an evil desire for money and power. Everyone is at risk including hospitals, governments/militaries, businesses large and small, individuals, and even churches.
We must remain vigilant with our computers, homes, and businesses as these crimes will only intensify. What’s more important is that we are guarding our hearts and spirits as they too are constantly under attack. And for this we have the strongest gate and defense, Jesus Christ.
Jesus knows of the attempts to steal and disrupt:
“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! (John 10:1)
He promises that he is the gate, we are secure in him:
so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. (John 10:7)
He promises that as we put our trust in him, we will be saved:
Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. (John 10:9)
He also reminds us he always has our best interest in mind:
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)
And we can be like Jesus as we lead and love others, bringing his light into the world. Jesus is the ultimate servant leader, putting others first with the greatest example in going so far to lay down his life for us. He was not forced, he chose to die so that we may live. He will never abandon us, let us not abandon him.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. (John 10:11-12)
Today’s reading: John 10-11