The Gate

The Gate

John 10:1-9, NLT

“I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! 2But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. 5They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.” 6Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.”

Setting the Scene

When Jesus began talking about the sheepfold and sheep, his listeners would have paid attention and understood the situation, because shepherds and sheep were common in ancient Palestine.

A “sheepfold” was a cave, shed, or open area surrounded by a wall eight to ten feet high and made of stones or branches. Often the top of the wall would be lined with thorns to discourage predators and thieves. Having a single entrance made guarding the flock at night easier for the shepherd. At times several shepherds, each with his own sheep, would use a single fold and take turns guarding the entrance. Mingling the animals posed no problem, because each flock would respond to its shepherd’s voice. The shepherd standing or sitting in the entrance was, in effect, the “gate.”

The shepherd in the story calls together his flock and takes them to the pasture. Later, back at the sheepfold, the shepherd sits in the doorway, acting as the gate. In Jesus’ parable, the “gate” is the only entrance and probably represents the position of Messiah because Jesus explained that “the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.”

Realizing that his listeners hadn’t grasped what he was teaching, Jesus stated clearly, “I am the gate for the sheep.” In other words, he was the only way to salvation and eternal life—“Those who come in through me will be saved.” Later, Jesus would emphasize this truth with the Twelve, stating, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6, NLT).

Getting Personal

Why do you think people resist the exclusive claim of Jesus—that he is the only way to salvation?

When have you heard someone say or imply that people can come to God and get to heaven by many paths? How do you answer that?

Who are the “robbers” today?

In what ways has Jesus being the “gate” for the “sheepfold” affected your life?

Jesus asserted that he was the true and only Messiah for the Jews. As such, his people could find salvation, security, and nourishment only through him. At that time, the Jews knew they would have only one Messiah, so the question for them was, “Is this the one?” Today, the questions seem to center more on the issue of Jesus’ exclusive statement to be the only way. Jesus claimed and proved to be God in the flesh and the only source of salvation. Without him, all people are lost in their sins and bound for destruction. But because of Jesus and through him, we can have eternal life. Instead of wondering why only one way is available, we can be profoundly grateful that God has provided this way.

Talking to God

Focus your worship today on the uniqueness of Jesus, the only way anyone can come to the Father. Thank him for the protection and the promise of eternal life, which are yours because he is your Shepherd.