Notes of Faith July 15, 2024

Guardian of the Sheep

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:9

In the ancient Near East, kings were often referred to as shepherds. In the Old Testament, God was referred to as the “Shepherd of Israel” (Psalm 80:1), the One who would do what Israel’s failed earthly shepherds would not do: care for the people of Israel (Ezekiel 34:11-16). Ezekiel 34 contains one of the harshest rebukes in the Old Testament: God’s rebuke of the leaders of Israel who were not caring for His people.

Against this background, Jesus not only declared Himself to be the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14), but He also said He was the Door of the sheepfold. That meant anyone coming in or out of the sheepfold had to go through Him. He was not the guardian of the door; He was the Door itself! Those who enter His sheepfold “will be saved” and can go “in and out [to] find pasture” (John 10:9). This is reminiscent of His words in John 14:6: “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Thank God today that Jesus is your way to salvation and the One who protects you as part of His flock.

Salvation comes through a cross and a crucified Christ.

Andrew Murray

Many seemingly nice, peaceful people have said that there are various paths to God. God, Himself, Jesus, said, “No one”, that means not one, comes to God but through Him, the door of the sheepfold. Come to Jesus. Learn of Him and from Him. Begin or strengthen your relationship with Him. He is life and that eternal. Please listen to your inner most being, come to Jesus, that you might be saved!

Pastor Dale