By Shirley Rosemarie Evans
“I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:7 -10 NLT
Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 10:7-10 NKJV
Gates and doors are important, they provide security, they are a physical barrier preventing unauthorised access and a deterrent for potential intruders. Gates also provide controlled access; the homeowner can monitor who can enter their property. This is especially true of modern living where gates or doors are fitted with security cameras and intercoms asking callers to identify themselves before entry is granted. They are also a safety mechanism ensuring that the children and pets cannot wander aimlessly into the street where dangers may lurk for an unsuspecting toddler or pooch. For most people, our homes represent a place of safety, a security blanket where the chaos and disorder of the outside world cease to exist.
Jesus offers the ultimate in-home security and home comfort. He offers himself as the security measure and the pathway to abundant living. He declares in His third “I am” statement that He is the gate for the sheep. In ancient times in the sheepfolds, there was only one opening allowing access in and out. There was, however, no physical doorway so at night the shepherd would sit in the gap and guard the entrance, keeping the sheep safe. Jesus describes His followers as sheep because just as sheep depend on the shepherd, so believers trust and depend on Jesus. Jesus jealously guards those who are His, protecting them from harm, in particular, from those who would make false claims and attempt to deceive His followers.
Before Jesus came and down through the ages many have claimed to be the Messiah or to have received new revelation or enlightenment declaring that they have the path that leads to God. They diminish the person of Jesus to a good teacher or a mere prophet, they attempt to steal His glory and destroy the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But Jesus puts Himself in the doorway, there is no other route to salvation except through Jesus Christ. He guards the door – this is not a task that He has delegated to any other – and those that enter through this door will be saved. Not only is He protecting the sheep, but Christ offers His sheep the guarantee that they are saved. Salvation is a done deal, Jesus saves us by His grace and as we continue to trust and obey Him, we are guaranteed an eternity with Him.
Not only does entering through the gate marked “Jesus” provide us with salvation and safety we are also told that we find pasture and abundant life. Life in Jesus is lived in the overflow, an overflow of love that never changes, an overflow of joy which gives us strength even in the most difficult of seasons and an overflow of peace based on our complete trust that Jesus always cares, always protects, and always provides. He will deliver every promise made in His word and He never leaves us or forsakes us.
Ask: Why is the analogy of sheep and gates/doors so relatable today?
Seek: Have you entered through the gate marked “Jesus”? Are you experiencing the comfort and security He offers?
Knock: If you are experiencing comfort and security pause to say a prayer of thanksgiving. If you are searching for that comfort and security, then ask Jesus in prayer to reveal Himself to you and lead you to life in Him.
(Upper Photo by Jan Tinneberg on Unsplash)
(Inner Photo by Nelson Eulalio on Unsplash)
