Therefore, Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. John 10:7
A gate, or sometimes translated door here, has two functions. It can keep those who belong in and it can keep intruders, or other dangers, out. We have already seen Jesus use the shepherd imagery, declaring Himself the Good Shepherd. One of the functions of the shepherd would be as a literal gate for the sheep pen. The stone enclosure peppering the wilderness grazing areas would have a small gap to allow the sheep in and out. At night, the shepherd lies across the opening to serve as a protective barrier.
Just as we’ve seen that Jesus is THE way – the only way – He is also THE gate. No one can enter that doesn’t go through Him. He is THE door, not A door.
In completing this picture, Jesus continues,
I am the Gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved They will come in and go out, and find pasture. John 10:9
Salvation, security, provision are all offered to those who enter through the gate. His Presence is a safe place, a sanctuary, that we will ultimately get to experience for eternity. But we must go through Him to get there. It is by His blood, the laying down of His life, that it becomes possible. By coming to Him, not trying to enter on our own accord, He allows us entrance.
I’m so grateful for the peaceful solace I find in His Presence. The wilderness of life can be brutal and harsh at times but He is always nearby, with the loving eye of a Shepherd, to usher me back in. It means I belong to Him. He is MY Shepherd.
The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, He makes me lie down in green pastures. Psalm 23:1-2
