I Am the Gate of the Sheepfold

When you were growing up, did you ever try to block your sibling from coming in a room? You stood behind the door, feet planted, trying desperately to hold him off as he pushed from the other side? It was difficult!

Are you one who frequently locks every exterior door of your house, unsure of who might try to come in unexpectedly?

A door gives you a sense of security. It’s meant to keep unpleasant weather, animals, and other intruders out of your home. It is a very important piece in the building and maintenance of your house.

When visiting Honolulu, I remember security guards standing at the front doors of places like, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. There were high-end, prized possessions in the stores that the owners felt it worth needing added protection.

You know this makes sense physically. But, let me ask you, who is guarding the door of your soul?

“’Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. ² But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.’ ⁶ This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

⁷ So Jesus again said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.’” – John 10:1-10

There is only one way to freedom and the blessed hope of eternal life. That is through Jesus Christ, alone. This is possible by His death, resurrection, and ascension back into heaven. He came as fully God and fully-man, becoming the ultimate sacrifice for your sin and bringing you abundant life.

Listen to the emphasis Jesus placed on this message. In Jewish culture, if someone wanted to stress great importance on their words, they would repeat them. Jesus repeated, “Truly, truly,” twice in both paragraphs, as well as reiterating the whole message twice as well. The first time was a bit more abstract.

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.’”

In paraphrasing this message for simplicity sake, Jesus was saying, “Listen! Listen everyone! There’s only one way to heaven, to be with God. You can’t do it by following the Jewish man-made rituals your leaders have enforced upon you. You can’t even do it by the Law, for it is impossible to live up to. You cannot do it by other gods or your own power. There is only one entrance and one guard granting access. You need to recognize Him because thieves will try to break in and steal you away. Animals will also try to get in and destroy you. But if the guard knows you, and you know the guard, nothing will be able to get to you once you’re inside His protection.”

However, the crowd listening to Him didn’t understand what He was saying. What is it about this gate and Shepherd He was referring to? It all sounds like babble.

So, Jesus drew great importance again to what He said, this time speaking more plainly.

“‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.’”

Jesus brought His message of the hope of His coming long before He came as a baby on earth. The prophets testified of it for years. The truth was before them all, but the enemy took opportunity to twist the truth and lead people away from God’s good news. Jesus was finally on earth, in the flesh, able to physically connect and fulfill the messages previously prophesied about Him. No longer could the “robbers” steal away His message from the people.

If people heard the gospel message and chose to follow Jesus, the Great Shepherd, they would be included in His “flock,” safe and secure. Nothing would ever be able to harm them again. They could freely roam in the lush pastures, knowing they were protected.

Does Jesus guard your soul? Is He the One protecting you; your present and eternal life secure in Him? Or, are you letting robbers come in? If you don’t know Jesus, please send me a message and I’d be happy to share more about this with you. If you do know Jesus, you are secure with Him forever.

Take heart! Have peace! Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep.” This I Am statement is saying that He is ever-presently the door. He will always be protecting you. You’re security rests in Him, the King and Conqueror of the world. This also means that He will always be the only way to peace-filled eternal life.

There’s no need to try and hold the door closed yourself. You don’t need to call in extra security, or lock your door every night, in fear the enemy might come in and wreak havoc. No, Jesus is taking care of that for you. He’s like the security guard outside of Louis Vuitton, because you are far more precious than any item in that store – so much so, He was willing to die for you to protect you.