Day 4 – I Am the Gate

“So he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:7 NLT

Throughout Jesus’s ministry, He used imagery the people would understand, especially the Pharisees “knowing” the scriptures. Like this conversation where He made the statement “I am the gate for the sheep.” Gates are hinged barriers used to close an opening in a wall, hedge, or fence. To comprehend the importance of the gate Jesus refers to, we need to dig into the history of the city of Jerusalem.

“Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even  unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.” Nehemiah 3:1 KJV

The Sheep gate is the first gate of the restored Jerusalem. It was close to the temple through which the sacrificial animals (mainly sheep as per the Mosaic law) were brought. This gate is an illustration of salvation in Christ. By making this statement, Jesus points out that He is the ultimate sacrifice for all, and all the sheep following through the Gate are redeemed and led into the presence of the Lord.

“These gates lead to the presence of the Lord, and the godly enter there.” Psalm 118:20 NLT. When entering through a gate, you are heading somewhere. When we enter through Jesus the Gate, we are entering as godly into the presence of the Lord.

Prayer: Dearest Jesus, thank You that You are the Gate into God’s presence because of Your sacrifice as the Lamb. Through using imagery from the Scriptures enhance who You are so we can today humbly enter through the Gate. Guide us to continuously stay within the Gate of salvation. Amen.

Intercessor Prayer at prayer@womenoftheword.co.za

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