Scripture

6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn't understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. 10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don't belong to him and he isn't their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he's working only for the money and doesn't really care about the sheep.

14 "I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

17 "The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. 18 No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded."

Observations

• Jesus compares Himself to THE gate/Sheppard
• Jesus compares the Pharisees to a thief
• Freedom, provision and protection are found in and around THE gate
• Division, destruction and devastation are found outside of gate
• Our Sheppard will sacrifice for our benefit
• Hired hand will run away
• Jesus isn't done wrangling sheep
• True sheep hear the voice of the true Sheppard
• Our Sheppard has the authority over death

Applications

• Settle on the Sheppard
• True freedom has boundaries that benefit
• False freedom has no boundaries
• Listen for THE voice amidst the noise
• Jesus looked for and loves me
• Be involved with His plan of getting people through the gate

Prayers

Jesus you are THE Sheppard! I'm a sheep… I ask for that perspective as I seek Your plan for my life. You've opened and continue to open gates for me. Help me to hear Your voice and to find the peace, protection and provision that comes from You.