Jesus: The Door of the Sheep
Then Jesus said to them again,
"Most assuredly, I say to you,
I am the door of the sheep."
During the time of Jesus, a sheepfold was an enclosure to keep sheep from wandering or getting lost. It usually had rock walls, and sometimes it was enclosed with thick thorn bushes to keep out thieves or predators, who would steal or kill the sheep. A sheepfold usually didn’t have a roof, and it had only one door. The shepherd would sleep across the opening of the door to keep intruders out and the sheep in. Thus, the shepherd became the door of the sheep. Sometimes, several flocks were kept in the same sheepfold. In the morning, the shepherd would call “his own sheep by name” and would lead them out of the fold (John 10:3). Each shepherd had a different whistle, and the sheep knew their master’s call: “When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:4). Jesus is the Shepherd of the sheep, and He knows you by name. Do you recognize the Lord’s voice when He calls you?
Jesus, thank You for calling me and protecting me. I will follow where You lead.
When a shepherd becomes the door of the sheep, he puts his life on the line. The shepherd will fight to protect his sheep because each one is precious to him. The key is relationship; the shepherd knows, calls, leads and protects his sheep. Jesus wants that kind of relationship with you.
Lord Jesus, I am Your sheep. Thank You for giving Your life for me. I want to go in and out of the sheepfold to “find pasture” (John 10:9).
The Shepherd wants a protective relationship with you.
