In order to understand the meaning of the term "thief" used here by the Lord you must read chapter nine where Jesus healed the blind beggar.

The popular false teaching of that day for someone born blind or someone born with any impairment physical or otherwise was that either their parents or the innocent child had sinned. This was the teaching that was recited to the people by the religious leaders of this day. Yet what did Jesus say? He said that this man was born with this impairment so that God could reveal his miracle working power through him as a witness to the world of his love toward mankind. Jesus healed him and Jesus wants to heal you too.

More specifically though Jesus healed this blind man so to show the people that he is the light of the world. Following Jesus will keep you on a path of glory just like if you were on a journey in the pitch-black night, he would be the torch of light you would use to find your way to your destination.

Even though Jesus had healed the man, the religious leaders found fault [sounds like today doesn’t it] they were confused by the letter of the word understanding and because the man was healed on the Sabbath therefore in their mind it couldn’t be God. In fact in that day according to the teaching of the Pharisees you couldn’t even help a person in distress on a Sabbath because they said it was sin. It seems that they were only concerned with making sure you had all the "Do-Nots" of their blinded teaching. They omitted the weightier matters of the law namely righteous judgment, mercy and faith. Yet to the blind man he was able to understand that there must have been an error in the teaching of the Pharisees, he was convinced that if a man did God’s will God would hear that mans request. This religious instruction by the healed blind man insulted the Pharisees. The Nerve! This mere formerly blind nobody would dare instruct them. They threw him out, yet God uses the base things of this world to confound the wise [Wise in their own eyes].

Jesus said, for judgment I am come into the world; I have come into the world so you can learn to see rightly and justly; the way God sees. Jesus has come to give you a new set of eyes; to see things the way he views them; to show you he’s alive and real. For the religious leaders of that day seeing the way God sees meant that they would have to become Blind; Blind to the faults and flaws of others. You can never lead a person to Jesus by reminding them of their sins or even worse, condemning for them.

The Life being spoken of here in the first part is Life eternal. The second part about abundant life is all about how Jesus through his sacrifice became the imputed righteousness of the Law of Moses for the believer’s life. In the Law there was a blessing for keeping the law and a curse for not doing so. Now instead of you trying to merit this blessing, it is given to the born again believer as a gift. It starts in the spirit by being born again of the Holy Spirit, which is only had through receiving Jesus into your life as savior.

God says I’ll bless:

God wants you to rejoice before him in all that you do, whether on the job or at school or even if you put your hand to your electric bill, Rejoice, Jesus is your source. It is going to be all right. Be Thankful.

Why not put your hand to your health, your wallet or your children and believe God?

Isn’t this exactly what the False Prophet of Revelations is going to do; Show a false sign and wonder to try to draw tribulation believers and the world to another way or god?

Jesus doesn’t want us to tolerate a lie. The truth be told whether the world, religious or otherwise likes it or not. You want abundant life? Fasten your attention on Jesus. He wants a relationship with you. He will also personally instruct you.

God says you who believe in Jesus Christ are dear to his heart above all the people of the earth. Hold your head up high! You as a Kings Kid are a member of Royalty. Devil, I’m serving you notice; get out of my way! Notice it didn’t say thou art a holy people in the eyes of man.

God wants to bless you. God wants us to enjoy life. Don’t you like it when your children are happy? Doesn’t it warm your heart? God likes seeing you happy too. People misunderstand the tithe. People act like God wants to take SOMETHING from them. God is reasonable. The tithe here was to be enjoyed by you with a thankful heart before the Lord. Rejoicing in the blessings of God is a worship that pleases God. To say, "Thank you Jesus, Thank you Father" is the worship God wants.

Yes, you read that right, God says it is just fine with him if you put strong drink to your lips and guess what; its even OK to feel the effects of the strong drink. I’m not saying you should be an alcoholic, I am saying however that God didn’t put a restriction on strong drink so it’s not a sin to have it. Preachers won’t speak on such things because they are too afraid of offending some whitened sepulcher thieves carrying Bibles. Yes there was a distinction made for the priests when ministering their office before the Lord but not in rejoicing for the blessings. Believe me, some of you could use a stiff drink.

Just for all those doubting Thomas’s out there; the wedding in Cana; where Jesus turned the water into wine, listen to the ruler of the feast:

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. –[John 2:9-10]

I’m not sure you realize that the water pots that Jesus had filled with water is the equivalent of 120 gallons! This for a wedding reception where the people in attendance had already become well drunk consuming all the wine they had. Jesus only made the 120 gallons because those six water pots were the only ones available.

My point simply is this; if you want a closer relationship with Jesus you are going to have to put away the pet peeves of man’s doctrine. The kingdom of God is not meat and drink. Smoking cigarettes also falls into the same category. When you condemn someone for doing those things, not only are you wrong for doing so but you are also condemning yourself. Not that God wants you to spend huge amounts of time doing so, but if you looked at your own faults, you would not judge others. The Spirit of God will lead you to look past the faults and flaws of others. It’s not your job to change anyone, that is a work of the Spirit of God. Jesus said, "You shall be witnesses of me." The message is lift up Jesus and point to him saying "Here is the answer for your life". Jesus is the cure-all for whatever ails you.

Guard yourself against "Conservatism" it has a form of Godliness but denies the power thereof. Much like the Pharisees, it tends to condemn and see sin, not exercising forgiveness only judgment. Jesus, and those led of him tend to excuse, overlook and cover sin. They exercise Mercy. Having conservative values and "Conservatism" are not the same. Jesus never condemned anyone for his or her sin; he just said sin no more. We in his family, who slip and make mistakes, we do not worry about it for we know Jesus covered the trespass already. Rejoice its Good News folks.

God also says remember to bless his priests with your goods, whether that be money or otherwise. This should be a free will act on your part. Don’t do it thinking, "Wow look at me" The attitude of your heart counts. To me it seems so right to do so. God’s ministers are there to bless you [At least the ones called by Jesus], why not bless them? Everything you have comes from God anyway, and God reminds you not to forsake them. Do it and watch what happens.

Remember be Merciful and fasten your attention on Jesus. Jesus will teach you personally. Abundant, everlasting life found only in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.