Jesus, the Gate of the Sheep
Scripture Reading — John 10:1-10
“I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.”
Shepherds had to keep watch over their flocks constantly so that predators would not attack. At night they often rounded up their sheep and kept them in improvised sheepfolds. And if more than one shepherd was in the area, there would be more than one flock in the fold. The shepherds themselves were the gateway to the sheep. And the sheep knew their shepherd’s voice. So in the morning when they heard their shepherd call, the sheep followed.
It is in this context that Jesus says he is the gate for the sheep. This metaphor suggests three truths. First, Jesus is the door to salvation: “Whoever enters through me will be saved.” There is no salvation outside of Jesus. He is the way to God, the door of salvation. No one can reach God by their works or even by their religiosity. Christ alone is the door!
Second, Jesus is the door to freedom: “They will come in and go out. . . .” There are many doorways and roadways in life that lead to captivity and slavery. They are wide and spacious, but they lead to danger and misery. Jesus, however, is the door to freedom.
Third, Jesus is the door to provision: “They will . . . find pasture.” Christ provides everything we need in order to flourish in abundance. He came so that we “may have life, and have it to the full”!
Lord and Savior, thank you for the full, abundant life you give. All other pathways in life lead to slavery and death. Only you lead and guide us faithfully. We praise your name! Amen.
About the author — Hernandes Lopes
Hernandes became the Portuguese ministry leader for Today's sister Portuguese ministry in 2010. He also serves as the director of the organization Luz Para o Caminho (Light for the Way), an organization formed in partnership between ReFrame and the Presbyterian
Church of Brazil. Hernandes has authored more than 160 books and is a popular and respected conference speaker in Brazil. Hernandes graduated from Seminário Presbiteriano do Sul in Brazil and earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary in
Jackson, MS.
Hernandes and his wife, Tinha, have two adult children.
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