So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:7 NABRE
Jesus is teaching about the role of the shepherd in the life of the sheep. The shepherd is the one who cares for the people, they could be the pastor, or natural leader who cares for the community, particularly in church speak the spiritual life of the sheep. It does no good to be successful in one aspect of life; the social, mental, physical or spiritual. We should grow in all areas to become happy and flourish, so the shepherd worries about all four aspects but has a particular eye toward the spiritual which is always difficult to understand and grow. Jesus uses the idea of a shepherd who cares completely for the sheep. Sheep tend to be animals who need lots of guidance, they are easily spooked, get lost easily, even step into harm without awareness. So the shepherd takes responsibility for the sheep, helping them be safe, secure and grow. Jesus says He is the Good Shepherd in certain places, the one who gives His life for the sheep. But in this passage Jesus describes Himself as the gate. Sheep are kept in a pen overnight, with one way in and out. The shepherd would lay or sit directly in the gateway so that even if he should fall asleep anyone passing in our out will wake him and he can take care of the sheep. For Jesus this gateway is a journey out to the pasture, or as we think in spiritual language out to eternal life. So Jesus is the way to life. He will say this specifically later in the text.
If you seek a life flourishing, with joy and a path to a kingdom where God is head, then the best path for many is through the gate of Jesus, the shepherd who lays down His life and picks it up again for all.
Who is your shepherd? Do you shepherd others?
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