I Am the Gate

John 10:1-10:

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Blog:

Not all that long ago, I was talking with my Father on the phone.  He was letting me know that he had to get going as my Sister’s Kids were on the way to his house from some time with their Grandparents.  Via the call, I was trying to find-out what my Dad might want for Father’s Day.  And, like most Dads, he shared that he didn’t need anything.  But then he did give me an idea without even knowing it.  I asked him if was going to be playing a game or two with the Kids when they arrived; to which he simply replied, “No, Gregg…  I am the game.”  In the Spirit of support of his Grandparent-hood, I ended-up buying my Dad some really great binoculars – to help “enhance” my Nephew’s and Niece’s “gaming experience” with Papa (I even picked-up an additional pair for me).  In the Gospel, our Eternal Father is also very direct in giving us an idea of what He wants when He tells us, “I am the Gate.”  Like my Dad’s answer, our Eternal Father’s answer left a lot room for interpretation and to grow and expand in its meaning to us across the different stages of our lives.  You see, Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) And, there is really only one True Way to Heaven – through His Gate.  As Jesus is our Good Shepherd, let us always try to be like good sheep and heed our Master’s guidance and instruction; seeking His Wisdom, Humility, Purity, and Love in the process.  It’s in this simple obedience to Him that His Gate opens Heaven to those that follow Him.