[Just mythoughts]

But these warm and winning images become even more beautiful when we see them set in contrast to other very dark and dangerous ones. In Psalm 23, for example, those “green pastures” become all the greener because they stand in contrast to the “valley of the shadow of death.” In John 10, Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd who comes to give us abundant life, over against the thief who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” These vivid contrasts make the warm gospel images all the more appealing and attractive.

I realize this Sermon is all fitted together, but there is an 'element' left out .... why is it that Peter says IIPeter 3:10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night;.......

[Charles Henrickson]

The “thief” in John 10 refers to the false teacher. The day of the Lord coming “as a thief,” in 2 Peter 3, refers to one feature of “thief,” i.e., that he comes unexpectedly.