The Gate

“‘I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.'” John 10:9 (NIV)

In Bible times, the shepherd would lay down at the entrance of the sheep pen in order to provide protection and security for the sheep from the threat of beasts of prey. The sheep were vulnerable outside of the shepherd’s care. His willingness to serve as the gate gave the sheep security and access to the pasture.

Jesus is the gate. It is through Him that a person enters into a saving relationship that provides eternal security and perpetual spiritual nourishment. Jesus is the gate that grants access to the spiritual resources of heaven.

• “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13 (NIV)

To enter through Jesus is to believe in His name and to be born again (John 3:3). Being born again is the event of conversion whereby you experience the regeneration provided by the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. Jesus is the gate through which you experience the divine transaction by transferring your trust from yourself to Christ alone for salvation.

A few weeks ago a couple church members joined me in visiting some first-time guests. We walked up their driveway and had the privilege of sharing the plan of salvation with the entire family and they each prayed to invite Jesus to take over their life. I congratulated them on their decision and the reality of their spiritual birthday. The dad let us know that it was also his physical birthday. His daughter immediately announced, “Daddy, you need two birthday cakes!”

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell