Key Verse: “Therefore,” Jesus
said, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”
John 10:7
This verse reminds me of a little chorus that we used to sing in Sunday
school. “One door and only one and yet
its sides are two. Inside and outside on which side are you? One door and only one and yet its sides are
two. I’m on the inside on which side are
you?
A gate, or a door, is useful for two things. It can admit those with whom we wish to keep
company and keep out those with whom we do not wish to associate. The gate serves as a filter of protection for
our lives.
We see this again in the Exodus from Egypt. We talked yesterday about the pillar of cloud
and fire that gave light to the people of Israel, but plunged the Egyptians
into darkness. Yet, this pillar also
served as a door, a barrier, keeping the people of Israel safe by keeping the
Egyptians away. “God is our refuge and
strength, an ever present help in times of trouble.” (Psa.
46:1) A refuge is an enclosed area,
a shelter. The only way in is through
the door or gate. A shepherd may herd
his sheep into an enclosure, or refuge, for the night and then position himself
in the doorway using his body as the actual gate for his sheep. If a sheep wanted to wander away, it would
have to try to climb over its shepherd.
If an enemy wanted to break in and steal, again, it would have to get
past the shepherd first. God is our
refuge and Jesus is our gate.
In the Old Testament, one of the tasks assigned to the priests at the
temple, was that of gate keeper. When
someone came to the gate, it was the task of the gate keeper to discern whether
that person were friend or foe and then open or shut the gate accordingly. Jesus, however, isn’t just a servant or
priest at the gate, Jesus is the gate itself.
When we rely on Him, He will protect us from harm and keep us safe. We can rebel, but remember, we have to climb
over Him first.
Now, you may be thinking, “If Jesus protects us from harm, then why do I
suffer?” We’ve covered this in other
messages, so I won’t rewrite those points here.
The key is to see Jesus, the gate, as a filter. He will allow in what He knows will help us
grow stronger and more like Him. He will
keep out all that the enemy would like to hurl at us when it will not serve His
purpose for us. This is when we need to
trust our Gate for our good.
While it is true that Jesus serves as our personal gate, we need to
realize that He is also the gate for His community. He says, “I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:7B)
Sheep move in a flock, not as individuals. He will protect His flock from harm. He will protect them from wolves who are
looking for a meal or from thieves who have their own reasons for
harassing. He may even protect His flock
from you if He knows that you are not one of His own. He is the gate to protect
His sheep, not all sheep from harm.
“I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find
pasture.” (John 10:9) You are His sheep if you have entered the
kingdom of God through Him. There is no
other way. As Peter declared to his accusers:
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
(Acts
4:12)
Add the color gray to our portrait of Christ. Gray is the color of a weathered gate, or the
color of a weathered piece of wood used as a cross piece, the door through
which eternal life is granted.
Hymn: “I Am the Good Shepherd”
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