Together - Daily DevotionalSample

I Am the Gate

Reading: John 10:1-10

Key Verse: “I am the Gate for the sheep”  v.7

In this cultural allusion, Jesus describes Himself as the Gate for the sheep. Interestingly, verse 6 records that Jesus was using “this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them”. At this time sheep were sometimes kept in stone walled pens especially overnight when predators could attack. There was only one narrow entrance but no actual gate. The shepherd would then lay on the ground across the gateway making himself “the gate”. No sheep could escape his protection and no predator could attack his sheep without first passing the shepherd himself.

Jesus therefore is the Gate in to the protection of God’s care. When we belong to Him, no predator can steal or destroy us because it is not a flimsy structure of wood that protects us, but Jesus Himself who is the Gate of security and protection of our souls. Sheep are fearful animals that can be easily frightened, but with their own shepherd as their gate, the sheep do not become anxious. Instead they lay contently at rest and peace in the sheepfold confident that their shepherd will overcome and defeat any threat or danger that may come.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus that you are my Gate of security and protection