In the ancient world, shepherds are responsible for taking care of the sheep. Feeding them, taking them to the field and streams, protecting them from predators and thieves, gathering them together. In this illustration, Jesus says that he is our good shepherd. Defenseless and vulnerable, and He is the one that stands as our protector against the enemy in our lives. He is the gate for the sheep.
What is the purpose of a gate? Primarily, it’s to keep the wrong things out. If Jesus has placed himself as the door to our life, that means He then becomes the filter through which all things must pass through. But Jesus only protects those who “come in” through Him. If we do not surrender to God’s ways, we will not receive his protection.
So the question is, does our life pass the Jesus filter? Are the things that we are intentionally putting in our life bringing glory and honor to God? If they’re not, it’s our responsibility to follow God’s commands and get rid of them.
The purpose of a gate is to keep the wrong things out. But it’s also to keep the right things in. God’s blessings live inside God’s boundaries. The protection and provision of God live inside His parameters. There are good pastures waiting for us when we live within God’s commands. (see verse 9)
Ultimately, we can trust that God’s commands are for our good because the enemy came to take, but Jesus came to give. The enemy will use any tactic that he can to steal our joy, kill our dreams, and destroy our future. But Jesus came to give us hope, and life and freedom in abundance. We can trust that He is fighting our battles, protecting and providing for us because He laid down his life so that we could have ours.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
PRAYER POINT
God, help me to trust that your commands are for my protection and provision
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