Day 39-Saturday, March 23rd
Read John 10:1-12
False Gates

After challenging the Pharisees concerning their spiritual blindness, Jesus continues to challenge them concerning their lack of love and concern for the people they are called to serve. As the leaders of Israel, these Pharisees are called to shepherd the people with the same care and compassion as shepherds watching over their flocks.

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” John 10:1-5 NIV

The people will not follow these leaders because they don’t have the heart of a shepherd. They are false shepherds who enter the sheep pen “by another way” and who are not trusted by their own people. Their own need to hold on to their power and influence at any cost had made them blind to the coming of God’s own Son. It’s no surprise that the words of Jesus fall on deaf ears.

Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

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. John 10:6-10 NIV

Jesus continues His metaphor once again specifically telling these Pharisees that He is the promised Messiah, the “gate” for the sheep. Whoever believes in Him will be able to enter “the sheepfold” and be saved. He is the one and only gate for the sheep, all others are false Messiah’s for do not care for the well-being of the sheep. Those who pass through Jesus into His sheepfold will find true abundant life, both here and in the hereafter.

In our world today, there are many “false gates” that claim to lead to both salvation and a fulfilling and meaningful life. Today, instead of meditating over scripture, some are reading the daily horoscope. Today, instead of praying to the God who loves and leads, some are praying to inanimate crystals. Today, instead of yielding to the presence of the Holy Spirit, some are following their own hearts believing in the power of “me”. Some are reflecting on the philosophies of Hinduism, some on the commands and demands of the Quran, and some on the spiritism of the Native religions. Others are getting high to get away, still others getting drunk to numb the pain, and still others are giving themselves away to find an ever more elusive love and sense of worth. All of these and far more are all schemes of our enemy the “thief”. Satan’s goal is not to bring life through all of these false sources of truth, but rather to “kill steal and destroy” all who fall prey to his influence.

These are harsh words directed at these Pharisees couched in a beautiful metaphor, but the stakes couldn’t be higher. The incarnation of Jesus was an intentional opening of the sheep gate so all who believed could go in, be restored to a right relationship with God, and truly experience the life for which we are all created. Will the Pharisees be thieves and continue to lead the people away from the gift of Jesus or will they lead the people to Jesus, the true Good Shepherd?

Questions to consider:
What false gates have you tried to enter (or are you currently entering) over the years of your life in a search for fulfilment and happiness?
If you have turned to Jesus, what finally led you to believe and place your trust in Jesus as your Savior?

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