Jesus, Our Shepherd
“I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture.”
John 10:9
My dad at one time had twelve sheep. He loved caring for them, feeding and have them sheared, making sure the newborn lambs had everything they needed. In return his sheep loved him. When he called them, they came running to him – and only him! No matter how my brother and I tried to tempt them, they would not respond.
In Jesus’ time shepherds had to keep watch over their flocks constantly so that predators would not attack. At night they often rounded up their sheep and kept them in improvised sheepfolds. And if more than one shepherd was in the area, there would be more than one flock in the fold. The shepherds themselves were the gateway to the sheep. And the sheep knew their shepherd’s voice. So, in the morning when they heard their shepherd call, the sheep followed.
It is in this context that Jesus says he is the gate for the sheep. This metaphor suggests three truths. First, Jesus is the door to salvation: “Whoever enters through me will be saved.” Jesus is the way to God, the door of salvation. No one can reach God by their works or even by their religiosity. Christ alone is the door!
Second, Jesus is the door to freedom: “They will come in and go out. . ..” There are many doorways and roadways in life that lead to captivity and slavery. They are wide and spacious and seem so attractive, but they lead to danger and misery. Jesus, however, is the door to freedom.
Third, Jesus is the door to provision: “They will . . . find pasture.” Christ provides everything we need in order to flourish in abundance. He came so that we “may have life and have it fully”!
Lord and Savior, thank You for the full, abundant life You give. All other pathways in life lead to slavery and death. Only You lead and guide us faithfully. We praise You! Amen.