A gate/door is the defined acceptable point of entry that separates spaces/places; indoors from outdoors, for example a warm cozy room from a dark cold outside. In this life there is a door/gate that stands between two places; the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. An entry through this door takes one into the Kingdom of God where the person will experience an eternal life with God and walk in God’s righteousness. Life outside this door is dwelling in the kingdom of darkness; living a life of separation from God where one is led by the flesh and walks in sin. In the third “I AM” statement, Jesus Christ tells us that He is the door, the defined point of entry into God’s Kingdom. Jesus uses the imagery of shepherd and sheep to help the people to understand His role as being the door in their lives as this was more relatable for their context in their culture.

Here are a few points to help us understand and experience our Lord Jesus Christ as the door(the shepherd that lies across the opening of the sheep pen to keep the sheep in) of the sheepfold (sheep represents all humanity).

Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who ever came ^[a]before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:7-9 NKJV

Jesus is the Gate as Entrance into Eternal Life with God

God’s Kingdom is accessible to everyone but the only acceptable/legitimate point of entry is through our Lord Jesus Christ as the door. There are many ways people attempt to pursue God, some seek God through their self-righteous deeds, others through lesser gods and mediums but none of such ways will grant them access into God’s kingdom. Jesus Christ is the truth, the way and life, no one comes to the Father except through Christ (John 14:6) THE door/ gate through which all people can come to God and be a part of His Kingdom is through Christ alone. Jesus Christ is the only one chosen by God to be the Savior of the world through Him alone can a person obtain SALVATION. Jesus Christ offered Himself as a propitiation for our sins and the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). Jesus Christ says to us “if anyone enters by Me, he/she will be saved.”

Jesus is the Gate to Protect/Shield us from Harm and Destruction

As the door of the sheepfold, Jesus keeps the sheep within the shelter and ensures they do not stray and fall prey to its enemy. Also as the door no enemy can enter into the sheepfold as the door guards the sheep from harm. As we enter through Christ as the door, He saves us from our sins, the worries of life and fears in the world. Christ guards our lives and provides us with all we need to live a life of godliness and contentment. As we enter through Christ, His word assures us that we will find pasture, pasture in the Kingdom of God is life in abundance, fullness of joy, peace and love and an ever satisfaction with Jesus Christ as our bread of life.

Beloved in Christ, I pray that you will always acknowledge and seek Jesus Christ the door of the sheep. When we encounter Christ as the door, may we also lead others to Him so that they will be saved and find hope, joy, peace and rest in Christ alone.