In John 10:7 and 9 we find the third of the seven "I Am" statements. Jesus says, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture."
I noticed on the web that one preacher a few years ago identified three affirmations that Jesus is making in this verse. After repeating that He is the gate or door for the sheep, Jesus tells us that in Him we find salvation. We enter through Jesus and our past: our guilt, shame, failure and loss are all dealt with. We are forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God for now and for eternity.
Second, in Jesus we find safety. Sheep are free to enter in and out of the sheep pen only if it is safe. Our Shepherd guarantees safety. Millions of believers have testified to experiencing a sense of wonderful safety in the midst of great difficulty. Faith that our Shepherd is in full control and will bring ultimate good to us brings peace in the face of pain and death. Jesus has taken the sting out of our ultimate enemy - death - and we know that we are "safe in the arms of Jesus."
Third, having entered into our relationship with God through Jesus, we find pasture. Good pasture results in satisfied sheep! That takes us back to the first of the "I Am" statements where Jesus says "I am the Bread of Life". Unlike everything else in this world, a relationship with Jesus satisfies our deepest soul longings. Everything else, whether an abundance of superficial stimulants or the most fulfilling things in life such as meaningful work, humanitarian service and family life, cannot fully satisfy. But in Jesus we are saved, safe and and can be satisfied for ever.
I noticed on the web that one preacher a few years ago identified three affirmations that Jesus is making in this verse. After repeating that He is the gate or door for the sheep, Jesus tells us that in Him we find salvation. We enter through Jesus and our past: our guilt, shame, failure and loss are all dealt with. We are forgiven and restored to a right relationship with God for now and for eternity.
Second, in Jesus we find safety. Sheep are free to enter in and out of the sheep pen only if it is safe. Our Shepherd guarantees safety. Millions of believers have testified to experiencing a sense of wonderful safety in the midst of great difficulty. Faith that our Shepherd is in full control and will bring ultimate good to us brings peace in the face of pain and death. Jesus has taken the sting out of our ultimate enemy - death - and we know that we are "safe in the arms of Jesus."
Third, having entered into our relationship with God through Jesus, we find pasture. Good pasture results in satisfied sheep! That takes us back to the first of the "I Am" statements where Jesus says "I am the Bread of Life". Unlike everything else in this world, a relationship with Jesus satisfies our deepest soul longings. Everything else, whether an abundance of superficial stimulants or the most fulfilling things in life such as meaningful work, humanitarian service and family life, cannot fully satisfy. But in Jesus we are saved, safe and and can be satisfied for ever.
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