The Prayers
- Medical treatment - Kermit Way, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Callie.
- Pray for our country as major trials continue.
I AM the Gate. KJV John 10:1-10
KJV John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
The Good Shepherd part of this passage starts at verse 11 and is part of the Easter Sundays. This analogy is from the well known (at that time) method of fashioning a pen so multiple flocks could be protected by one shepherd who positioned himself at the gate, a narrow opening or door. Thieves would look for a way to climb over the wall of the pen rather than mix it up with the shepherd. Jesus is saying there is only one way to salvation, which is through Him alone. This is another way of pointing out faith in Him as the only way of forgiveness and everlasting life.
2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Jesus is the door (the way) and also the shepherd of the sheep. Far from becoming confusing, this is a picture easy to grasp and told in simple words and grammar. As editor Virginia Roberts said, "God doubtless made John's Gospel the simplest in language so anyone could follow it." It is also the most profound. The Shepherd has no trouble going to the entrance, because He is welcome and loved by the sheep, just as He loves them.
3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
The guard shepherd (notice how shepherd dogs - German Shepherds, Australian Shepherd, Malenois, Cattle Dogs, and other similar dogs have the same attitude in protecting their owners and animals!) The name and the voice are very important. "Every Christian soul has a name." Believers know the voice of Christ and find comfort and delight in that voice. Jesus knows His flock and protects it.
4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
When the shepherd takes out his sheep for food and water, He walks before them. The sheep follow His voice because He gives them safety.
5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
When we had three dogs at once, I called them "Girls!" and they came inside together. Not knowing this, the daughters of friends, who were swimming there, all got out of the pool to come in. Believers do not follow strangers, who may promise a lot but are false. Millions have been misled by false shepherds who only wanted to fleece their flocks, not feed them.
6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Jesus taught this parable so it would be preserved by John and the Apostles. The fake scholars scoff at it and tell people it had no historical contact with the Apostle John, who took care of Mary the mother of Jesus, after His crucifixion and resurrection.
7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Some though Judas Maccabeus was the Messiah. Other messiahs came after Jesus, plus many false prophets. There is only one way, one door, one Shepherd.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
There is an enormous gap between the thieves (false teachers) who steal, kill, and destroy. As Luther wrote, God uses false teachers to punish the people who had the truth but followed falsehood to please themselves and reject Christ.
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