John 10: 1-10
“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep fellow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus said this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
A Thought
A shepherd is one who tends, oversees, leads, guides, and protects his sheep. Jesus tells this story to people who were familiar with sheep and the sheepherders to explain who he is. Jesus is the Shepherd who came into the world to make every provision for our salvation that we can be brought back into a right relationship with God the Father. Jesus is the only way to be saved. All before him or any that may come after him are false shepherds only trying to rob, to steal and destroy the sheep that belong to the true Shepherd. Jesus knows us by name, so let’s be faithful to listen and follow as he leads, guides and protects us that we may have a full, abundant life in him.
Our Prayer
Father thank you for sending Jesus Christ to lead, guide, protect and to offer us eternal life with you. Help us to study your word that we may hear and obey his voice. We desire to submit to the life you have planned for us. Awaken us by the power of the Holy Spirit. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
