Enter Through the Gate

I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. John 10: 9

Enter through the gate! We’ve done that a few times in our lives, haven’t we? And with what anticipation we have done so as we have passed through to a baseball, basketball, or football game; the fair, an amusement park, the zoo, or to a garden. What opportunities and good things await us on the other side. But nothing can compare with the gate of life through which we can enter to find pasture in Jesus Christ.

Jesus used many comparisons when He taught His Gospel message and one of those is found in this verse, as He declared, “I am the gate and whoever enters through me will be saved . . . and find pasture.” The “gate”, (or the “door” as used in the King James Version) is one of the most vivid and important illustrations used in the Christian faith, as is the metaphor of Jesus as the devoted shepherd. For both make it clear that there is only one way to the Father, and that is through His Son. As we gain access through the gate, we find that He will shelter and provide for us just as a shepherd does for His sheep. He will keep us in His care, and His love and grace will always be available to us. He is the door to our Father and our passage to eternal life. Only those who are His, who love and believe in Him, will be allowed into His presence to enjoy the fullness of His blessings.

The door is always open to us, and inside, we will find green pastures leading to a full, abundant, and contented life, knowing that we belong to Him. Our shepherd will provide the security, sustenance for life, and freedom to come to Him whenever we need protection, nourishment, quiet solitude, and the presence of His love and comfort. We will find pasture for our souls as Jesus leads us through the difficult times, refreshes our spirits, and gives us life now and forevermore. How grateful we can be that we found our way to Him!

Prayer

Dear Lord, we thank you for the “gate” to enter into your goodness, your love and your saving grace.  Thank you for directing us through life, protecting us, and keeping us always in your care as our shepherd. Amen