The Weekly Word Lent Series - A Devotion for the Second Week of Lent
During the six weeks of Lent, we are offering a special devotional series on the theme of “I AM.” We invite you to set aside a few minutes each week to join us in exploring who God is and how and where He is present in our daily lives.
The Scripture for today is from John 10: 7-10.
Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Gates can signify exclusion. A gated community sends the message to outsiders that only certain people are allowed entrance into that particular neighborhood. Likewise, a fenced-in yard with a latched gate lets visitors know that they are entering private property. And if you’ve ever had young children or grandchildren in your home, you’ve undoubtedly used gates to block off certain rooms and stairways, either to ensure the curious crawlers don’t harm themselves or to keep them out of mischief. When we think of a gate, we tend to think of what we are trying to keep out, rather than what we might be inviting in.
When Jesus presents this image of himself as a gate in these verses, however, he offers us a different picture. Unlike the gates we might put up in our homes, backyards or neighborhoods to keep people out, Jesus’ gate is always open. He doesn’t close His gate on anyone – no matter our mistakes or flaws, no matter what’s happened in our past, no matter how long it takes us to get there. He doesn’t require that we jump through any hoops, nor does He equip His “gate” with a complicated latch that only a special few can figure out. There are no exceptions; Jesus invites each one of us to enter into abundant life through Him.
Jesus’ gate does not serve as a barrier, but rather, as a standing invitation. His gate is always open; it’s up to us to enter in.
Lord Jesus, thank You for the invitation to walk through Your open gate into relationship with You. Thank You for the peace, security and protection that can only be found in You. Amen.