The other morning we took a walk. When we left the campground area we had to go through a gate at the start of the trail. There’s a country or ranch tradition that our family is very familiar with – if you go through a gate, close it.
Plain and simple. Gates have a purpose. It’s either to keep someone or something in or to keep someone or something out. Gates are important.
We enjoyed our nature walk. We saw some of the tallest Ponderosa pines I have ever seen. It was a beautiful area; unspoiled nature. I didn’t see anything that needed to be kept behind a gate but the gate was there all the same.
Isn’t that the way it is with life? We don’t always see or know the purpose for something but its there for our protection.
Jesus was telling his disciples a story about some sheep who were being kept in a pen behind a gate. They were safe from outside harm. The disciples didn’t understand the meaning of the story so this was Jesus’ explanation:
“So Jesus said again, “I assure you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All those who came before me were thieves and robbers. The sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will be able to come in and go out. They will find everything they need. 10 A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good.” John 10:7-10 ERV
In the natural, sheep don’t have any common sense. They need a shepherd to protect them and to lead them to good pasture. Jesus had said He was the good shepherd. He was the one to protect and to provide “Everything they need”.
He hasn’t changed! His promises to protect and provide are still valid. Jesus repeated this mission that He had been given by God, the Father, using a variety of examples. He said I AM the gate, the shepherd, the living water, the bread of life, the way, the truth, the life! Not once did He say I am the destroyer, the condemner, the abuser, the neglecter. Never! That’s not who He is.
He has given us so many examples of who He is, if we look for them they will become clearer and clearer.
Today I am glad that He is the gate – He opens and closes to protect me in all I do.