Week 1: Listening to the Good Shepherd
The Gate for the Sheep
Week 1, Day 5
The Good Shepherd has multiple roles He plays in the life of His sheep.
What does it mean that He is the gate for the sheep (John 10:7, 9)?
Let’s reread that portion of John 10:7-10 (NIV).
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. An alternate translation for verse 9 is “...whoever enters through me will be kept safe...”
This secondary translation of Jesus as the gate for the sheep is not negating His role as our Savior, mediator, and way to God. John 14:6 and many other passages clearly state that we cannot gain access to the Father, nor enter the kingdom, without going through the Son. However, let’s open wide our ears to listen and explore another illustration of Jesus as the gate for the sheep.
What is the purpose of a gate?
Who does it keep out?
Who does it keep in?
How is the Good Shepherd’s desire to give us an abundant life enhanced by His description as the gate for the sheep?
Additional notes, drawings, or thoughts from listening to the Good Shepherd today:
We would love to hear from you! Please share with us what you are hearing and how you are growing in your devotion to listening.
This blog post is taken from the book Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion. To order a copy of this book, please visit our website and invite a friend to participate in the study with you. The book includes additional guides and questions to be reviewed in a small group context weekly.