In the book of John chapter 10 starting with verse 1, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! ² But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.”

⁶ Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, ⁷ so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. ¹⁰ The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

In these verses, Jesus is telling us that He is the way to heaven, He is the gate. In John 14:6, “Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” God the Father loves all people, He also loves His Son, Jesus. For people who reject His Son, which means they do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, they will not be able to reach the Father and bypass Jesus. The path to the Father is through Jesus. Those who come through Jesus by their belief in Jesus will be saved.

The thief that Jesus refers to is the enemy, his sole goal is to steal and kill and destroy you and me. There are only 2 paths before every human, choose Jesus or reject Jesus. Not making a choice is a choice, it is the same as rejecting Jesus.

Jesus continues speaking in John chapter 10, verse 11. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, ¹⁵ just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.”

Jesus has already given His life for you, yes, you. When you believe that, you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the teacher who helps you learn about Jesus and the Father. The Holy Spirit helps you know Jesus, just like the Father knows Jesus and Jesus knows the Father. Praise God that we have a Good Shepherd who loves us so very much!

Let’s pray. Thank You for loving us, exactly as we are. Help us to be an example of Your love to everyone we encounter. Lord, help us to grow in You each day. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.