Think back. When was a time when you felt completely safe?

I remember the first time I walked through my front door into my house after we purchased it. It’s an interesting feeling. Even though it was new to me, there was a sense of, “I’m home.” In the years since that feeling has only increased as we moved our furniture in and got used to the house.

That door also gives a sense of protection. When I go to bed I lock the door and know we are safe. That door welcomed Eli into his home after he was born and has welcomed many other guests over the years as well.

The Sheep Gate
Jesus describes himself as the gate for the sheep. By doing so, He is telling us quite a bit about who He is and what He does.

• He is the entrance to our new home. We can only come to the Father through Jesus. Heaven is our home and Jesus is the only entry.
• He is our protection. The image to the right shows a sheep enclosure. It was common for either a man-made structure like this or a natural enclosure, like a cave to be used to keep the sheep at night. The shepherd would then lay at the entrance to sleep so any predators would have to come through him to get to the sheep. Jesus protects us from the dangers all around us.
• It is through Jesus that we join our new family. In Christ, we become one family, brothers and sisters, unified in faith.
• Jesus leads us into the mission fields. In the morning, the shepherd would take the sheep out of the enclosure and lead them to the fields. He continued to watch over them and lead them the whole time. Jesus sends us out to the fields to love others and share the Gospel. He goes with us and continues to protect and guide us (Think Psalm 23).

A good shepherd would take great care of his sheep. He would lead them to fertile fields and cool, still water. He would care for their wounds. He would risk his life to protect them. Jesus not only risked His life, He laid it down, becoming the gate for us to enter Heaven.

Dear Jesus,

You gave Your life for me. You feed me and care for me. You lead me and protect me. Thank you.

Amen.