John 10:9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
Jesus was a very common name among the Hebrew children during Bible times. Jesus in Hebrew is Yeshua (a derivative of Joshua). Bible scholars believe that roughly about 1/5th of the male population in Judea and Galilee were named Jesus. Hence Jesus was referred to as “Jesus of Nazareth” to distinguish Him from the others.
The Hebrews were shepherds. Abraham had a large stock, followed by his son Isaac and grandson Jacob. Moses became a shepherd when he fled from the Pharaoh as shepherding was in his blood. David was a shepherd boy who became the king of Israel. Hence “the gate” is a simple analogy that the common Jew could easily understand. Sheep are totally dependent on the shepherd as they are utterly helpless against predators. Hence while the shepherds kept their flock in the wild countryside, they would pile up rocks in a circle to build a temporary wall with a small opening. There was no door –only an opening. The shepherd became the door of protection at night as he would literally sleep at the opening of the rock pile.
When Jesus said, “I am the gate”, He metaphorically meant that He is the entrance to salvation, safety and security. This gate of salvation leads us to God’s safety-net of protection, peace and prosperity. The gate leads us into a sheep pen of God’s forgiveness, freedom and spiritual nourishment/food.
Jesus is the Gate:
- Forgiveness: There is forgiveness of sins, transgressions and iniquities in the sheep pen of Jesus. Repeated sinful behaviour that causes harm to others results in curses but once as we enter this gate, our sins, transgressions and iniquities are washed away without a stain or stink.
- Freedom: We can enjoy freedom only in a safe environment. The gate of salvation is the entrance to freedom from addictions, bloodline curses and demonic patterns of losses, barrenness and sickness.
- Food: The phrase, “come in and go out” is a Hebrew idiom that represents liberty and security. This means that we have shelter and safety in Him and also protection to graze and feed on green pastures.
“Enter the Living Gate!”
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, thank you for opening the gate of safety, security and liberty for me. Amen
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