Spend time in prayer and silence with God asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
“I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what He was telling them. Therefore, Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the Gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the Gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
– John 10:1-10
Devotion
In John 10, Jesus combines two “I am” statements. He was in an extended debate with the religious leaders of the Jewish nation. The Pharisees who claimed to be the “shepherds” of Israel, were in fact false shepherds. In this chapter, Jesus compares Himself to a true Shepherd who takes care of the flock. He said this to the Pharisees who had just treated one of their “sheep” with contempt, rebuked him, and literally threw him out of the gathering at the synagogue.
The Big Question
Notice how Jesus first pictures Himself as the true “Gate” for the sheep. He uses the gate metaphor to make several points. What goes the gate metaphor represent? Jesus clearly identifies Himself as the “Door or Gate” that people must go through to be in the comfort and security of the sheep pen. What does the sheep pen represent? So, what does Jesus claim about Himself in verse 7? What implications for salvation do we see in verse 9? What do you think Jesus means by “full” or “abundant” life in verse 10?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.