To understand what Jesus was referring to , it helps to consider what the objective of the would be " thief and robber " is , in contrast to The Integrity and Faithfulness of Christ .
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. <-----> John 10:1
From this verse , we can see that those operating as a " thief and a robber " - " climbeth up some other way " ; this indicates three basic traits .
1. They are ambitious . ( " climbeth " )
2. They're seeking preeminence . ( " up " )
3. They've not accepted Christ's Witness . ( " some other way " )
Taken in context this describes the nature of those who bear witness of themselves seeking their own glory , as something / someone posing as being worthy of the praise , honor , and glory , which rightfully belongs to God and His Christ . Consequently , as such , they are motivated to act as a " thief and a robber " , scheming and manuevering to steal away the recognition , gratitude , admiration , and offerings of praise and thanksgiving , which do not rightfully belong to them .
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. <-----> John 7:18
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. <-----> Acts 8:9-11
Compare with this contrasting witness :
And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: <-----> Acts 14:8-15
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. <-----> Luke 14:11
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. <-----> 2nd Corinthians 10:17+18
Because , acknowledging our unelite humanity in contrast to The Lord of Glory , is simply being honest ; and by the power of the truth , ( being understood and accepted within ) , we are gracefully enabled to be -
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; <-----> 2nd Corinthians 10:5
This is how Christ , and following Him / His Example , is " the door " , or way of acceptably entering into The Lord's sheepfold .
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. <-----> John 10:10
And here we see that the nature of the thievery is potentially , critically ruinous ... so that we become either the recipient of the abundant life offered through Christ ; or we fall into the hands of him who seeks to kill and destroy . The One having Life , being willing to freely share that Life and lift us up to ever be with Him ; but the other having a sentence of doom , and seeking to drag as many as he can down with him into the lake of fire .
The choice is easy in concept ; but can be a struggle to keep without wavering ; and that's what is really needed - for us to become consistent in the following of our Faithful Shepherd , Jesus Christ .
May The Lord Be Magnified .
wm
I hope the OP understands it.
