Jesus is the gate (door) of the sheep!
In this episode, Nathan discusses John 10 and five practical realities of what it means to the sheep (us) for Jesus to be the gate.
John 10:1–10 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he brings all his own out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. A stranger they will never follow, but will flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
There are 5 applications for the sheep because Jesus is the gate:
1. Sheep’s Security (Protection)
The gate provided protection and security for the sheep. As the shepherd laid down at the entrance to the sheepfold and became the gate, he provided rest, security, safety, and peace to the sheep. This is certainly true for Jesus!
2. Sheep’s Salvation
Jesus declared, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). As the gate, Jesus provides salvation, life, and liberty to the sheep.
3. Sheep’s Solace (Compassion)
As sheep entered the fold, the shepherd would stand at the gate and give compassion to the sheep – looking for cuts, wounds, parasites, barbs, and other problems and applying oil, balm, and healing to the sheep. As David declares of God in Psalm 23:5, “He anoints my head with oil …”
4. Sheep’s Separation (Division)
Just as a gate brings separation from the sheep that are within the fold and those outside, so too Jesus brings division (see John 7:43; 9:16; 10:19; Luke 12:51–53; 14:26). He demands an exclusive devotion, focus, and loyalty.
5. Sheep’s Selection (Decision)
The sheep do have a decision—are they willing to enter in by the gate (Jesus) and find life? Jesus declared in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” But we must remember that there is only one means of salvation (one gate), and that is Jesus alone (see John 14:6).
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About NRJohnson
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.
About the Deeper Christian Podcast
Many Christians feel frustrated because they don’t grow spiritually. The Deeper Christian Podcast helps equip Christians to understand the Word of God and cultivate a passionate love for Jesus that turns the world upside down.
Whether you want to learn how to study God’s Word, grow in your faith, cultivate a powerful and effective prayer life, share the Gospel boldly, deepen your intimacy with Jesus, live victoriously, or transform the world through the indwelling life of the Holy Spirit, the Deeper Christian Podcast with NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) will encourage and equip you to grow spiritually and live a Christ-centered life.