The Road to Easter: Meet the Good Shepherd
(NIV)John 10:7 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.
Oh, how I love this 10th chapter of John. Previous to these verses, Jesus had said “I am the good shepherd,” establishing for the Pharisees His legitimacy as the One who leads and lays down His life for the Church. But the Pharisees failed to understand.
So, Jesus removed any confusion by clarifying He was not only the Shepherd who cares for the sheep, He was the gate through which they enter. The entrance, the way, the only way— how awesome is that!
Jesus emphasizes that others try to lure the sheep away. But, once you have heard the voice of the Master, none other will satisfy.
He then finishes by contrasting His mission with that of the counterfeit shepherd. When reading this Scripture I like to say the thief comes to kill our joy, to steal our enthusiasm and to destroy our witness. But Jesus offers abundant life.
Why would we choose any One, any Way, but Him?
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
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Seeking Holiness 