Read John 10:7-10.

In ancient Israel, when shepherds penned their sheep for the night, they would herd them into an enclosure with a gap that allowed one or two sheep to pass through. There was no door to this gap; it was open all the time. The shepherd himself would act as the gate. He would sleep in the doorway. Once the sheep were inside the sheep pen, they were protected by the shepherd himself. Therefore, in John 10:7, Jesus was identifying Himself as such a shepherd, "the gate for the sheep,” who protected them both from wandering off and from wolves and thieves. Likewise, there is no sheep that can enter the fold without His invitation. Everyone who was listening to Jesus understood the reference, and there are three powerful implications of His claim that we should remember.

First, because Jesus is the gate for the sheep, He is the entrance to the Truth. In fact, He is the only Truth—the Truth that sets us free (see John 8:32). All other doors lead to falsehoods. Today churches are riddled with self-serving church leaders who promote false gospels. Jesus identifies their kind as robbers because they are robbing people of what it means to follow Jesus. They rob people by teaching them what is contrary to the Word of God or, in most cases, by expanding the Word of God to make it more acceptable—thereby robbing it of its power to save. We must learn to discern between those who feed the flock on the Word of God and those who feed them on pop psychology, for Jesus is the only, exclusive way to the Truth.

Second, as the gate, Jesus is also our great protector. He said, “[W]hoever enters through me will be saved” (John 10:9). Whether you live in a hut or a mansion, whether you are rich or poor, whether you have a high position or a lowly position, there can be no real safety apart from Jesus. Inside the sheepfold, with our Shepherd, Jesus, serving as the gate, there is inexplicable peace, even in the midst earthly trouble.

Finally, as our gate, Jesus is our great provider. He said His sheep “will come in and go out, and find pasture” (v. 9). When you come to the Father through His Son, Jesus, you will find sustenance and refreshment. You’ll come into the enclosure and be loaded with God’s blessings and then go out empowered to serve Him by serving others. You will come in and receive comfort, joy, and peace; then you’ll go out and spread it to others.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for caring for me so well, providing above and beyond my needs. I find my rest in You and the assurance of salvation that You have secured for me. I look forward to Your coming Kingdom and pray that You would empower me to share Your Truth boldly that many more might enter the fold and experience abundant life in Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon series The Exclusivity of Jesus: WATCH NOW

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!