I AM part 2

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

“I AM”

“I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are the thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They 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 10:7-10

                In Jesus’ time, sheep and shepherds were a common occurrence. In the Old Testament God is often referred to as the “Shepherd of Israel” as Psalm 23  would have been known. “The Lord is my shepherd”. So the image of Jesus being ‘the gate” to the sheepfold would have been relevant. People would have envisioned a sheep pen and would know that there is no gate- except the one the shepherd makes as he sleeps at the entrance in small pens. If a larger sheep pen was used a gate would be present but near the gate would be the place where the shepherd would stay and watch over the sheep entrusted to his care.

                “I am the gate.” Jesus states that he is the one and only way into the pen as a way of watching over the sheep; keeping them safe and secure. And because of this statement, Jesus says I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

                How does knowing Jesus give us a life that is full? Because we know that in Jesus life is full both now and eternally in him and through him. Those sheep who know him will follow faithfully.  As we grow in our faith we follow his teachings, especially those related to loving God and loving others. But these teachings liberate us by transforming us into the loving, relationship people God intended us to be.

               

REFLECT:

Jesus said “I am the gate’. What does this mean in light of other religions which claim they are the way to God? What does this mean to you personally? Does this image of Jesus the shepherd sitting as the gatekeeper cause you to wonder about your ‘abundant life’?

PRAYER

Holy God as you sent Jesus to save us from sin, he also came to give us a life more abundant then before. Enable us to fully understand this for ourselves- each day. Help us to truly live life and do so knowing that Jesus is the one who made it possible. Be with us, watch over us and continue to be our gate as you protect and guide us. Amen.

                Reflections suggested through “I Am the Way: The Amazing Claims of Jesus” by Jack Kuhatscheck,              ODB Ministries, 2018)