The Sheep Gate

A few centuries before Christ, when the Jews organized themselves to restore the city walls of Jerusalem, one of the first gates to be repaired was the Sheep Gate.

It was located between the Temple and the Pool of Bethesda. The animals that were to be sacrificed in the temple, generally lambs and sheep, passed through this door, were washed and purified at the Pool of Bethesda, and were then led to the sacrificial altar. In practice, every sheep that crossed that door had its fate sealed.

Jesus is also depicted as a lamb led to the slaughter.

I have to say, early in my life with Jesus, a guy got me into serious trouble. Based on the logic that sheep (or lamb) was synonymous with certain death, he said that believers in Jesus were all destined to be sacrificed on an altar.

But God is good and, after a few days, I read in John: "If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, he will go in and out and find pasture".

You understand? We'll be in and out! It is not true that believers are sheep led to the slaughter. Instead, through Jesus, we will enter the altar of the presence of God the Father and suffer no punishment because the blood of Jesus was shed for our salvation.

We will go out and find pasture, refreshment, peace, and satisfaction. There will no longer be death, but salvation.