John 10, Part 2

Scripture: John 10:7-10

Observation: Jesus begins to explain His parable. Jesus Himself is the gate for the sheep, who provides entry into a safe santuary (v.7, 9). Those who came before Jesus He calls "thieves and robbers" (v.10). Here Jesus isn't referring to those whom the Father sent, such as the prophets, or John the Baptist. He refers to the Jewish rulers and teachers who have rejected Him. Those who bear witness to Jesus do not fall into this category. Jesus, as the Gate, provides the way in and out into green pastures (see Psalm 23:2), unlike the thieves who come only to kill and destroy (v.10). Jesus' purpose is to give life (John 6:35, 7:38), and life abundant.

Application: Jesus says He is "the gate. Whoever enters by Me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture" (v.9). Jesus is not a barrier, He is a passageway, one that allows us freedom to come before the presence of God. But to get there we must go "through Him." The Jewish leaders thought they'd condemned the blind man by throwing him out of the temple, but as one of Jesus' sheep, he was able to enter into the pasture and receive protection from the Shepherd. We also have freedom when we enter through the Gate. We are all sheep in need of a Shepherd, but unless we recognize this we will run through the world and be devoured by the thieves and robbers who abound. It is necessary to hear, recognize, and obey the voice of our Shepherd to be saved.

Prayer: Father that is my prayer for the lost, that they would recognize their need of a Shepherd and turn to the One who created them. Only Jesus can love His sheep with an unconditional love because He created them and died for them. There are many imposters, but only You an give freedom from condemnation, and only You can give eternal life. I praise You for Your grace, and I praise Your Holy Name, Jesus, name above all names. In Your name I pray, Amen.