His Ambassador Blog

As we continue to study the seven ‘I AM’ statements of Christ, we are going to be looking at the third one Jesus makes. Last week we studied about the Light of the World, and the way Jesus saves us from the darkness that surrounds us.

“Then Jesus said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”

John 10:7

John dedicates a good chunk of chapter 10 to describing Jesus’ relationship with the sheep. While his profession was a carpenter and not a physical shepherd, Jesus uses multiple metaphors to refer to us, His followers, as sheep. First, we should observe some characteristics of sheep that don’t seem too unfamiliar to us.

Sheep are natural followers.

Not only are sheep timid animals, but they are followers. Instead of being herded like cattle, sheep thrive in environments where they can follow their shepherd. It’s important for a sheep to know that they are supposed to be following the shepherd because they will often follow the first thing they see moving, which can put them in danger. Because of this, it is up to the shepherd to be sure that the sheep make it to the right place and are safe from predators. 

Sheep know their shepherd.

Despite being a little bit ditsy or gullible, sheep have incredibly good memories and are even good at remembering human faces. Therefore, when sheep are introduced to their shepherd and form a relationship with him, they will be able to recognize the shepherds face and voice and will therefore trust and follow him. The sheep turn to the shepherd for protection and know that when they follow him and are by his side, predators cannot harm them. 

Sheep prefer long and narrow pens, rather than wide open ones. 

The second I read this fact while studying about sheep I had to actually run into the kitchen and tell my mom this. No wonder the bible tells us in Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.” We cannot miss this moment to sit in awe of how incredibly vast and poetic God is. Everything He says has purpose and meaning and this is just one example. Sheep prefer narrow pens where they can be closer with other sheep in order to feel safe from any danger that seeks them. 

So, what was I saying about the familiar characteristics of sheep? Jesus even makes references to these behaviors of sheep in chapter 10. From this we can observe some of the behaviors of followers of Jesus who have walked through the Door for the sheep. But first, what is the Door? When Jesus declares that He is the Door for the sheep He is saying that He leads us into the pasture of everlasting life. Through Christ and through Him alone can we be saved. He is the path to that straight and narrow gate that we, or the sheep, love so much. Jesus says that those who come in His name and declare that salvation can come in any other way than Christ, are as thieves and robbers. So, we can gather that Jesus is the one and only way. As the sheep, or rather followers of Christ:

We are to follow Him.

Like the sheep, we must follow Christ. We can’t try and earn our way to heaven by our works. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” If we want to find eternal life, as well as joy, peace, and love, we must follow Christ because He is all of those things. There is no other God besides Yahweh, 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 says, “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” We could never do enough ‘good things’ in this lifetime or a million more to earn our way into heaven because we are still imperfect, and we still fall short. That is why we must turn to Jesus and surrender our lives to Him, in order for Him to take on our punishment before God. 

We are to know our shepherd. 

John 10 verses 3-5 say, “To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he called his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” Two things stick out to me in these verses. The first being that a shepherd will call the sheep by name. Followers of Christ are personally known by Jesus, so much so that He calls each of us by our names. With Jesus Christ, we do not have to succumb to a rigorous set of religious laws and regulations, instead we are sanctified by a genuine love for Jesus and our devotion to Him is seen through our obedience to His word. The second thing that sticks out to me in this set of verses is that sheep know their shepherd. Like we said before, sheep need to have a relationship with the shepherd in order to recognize that He is who they should follow. I can not stress how critical it is to read the word of God and know the word of God. If we don’t know what He says in His word, how are we going to know what is true in this world and what is not? If we are truly following Him as sheep follow the shepherd, we will know what He sounds like because we are submitted to Him, and constantly learning what He sounds like. In verse 27 Jesus goes on to say that He knows us and we will follow Him. Imagine that: the Creator of the Universe, the King of Kings, knows your name and He thought you were worth dying for.

We are to go through the gate and stay with the shepherd.

Jesus promises in John 10:10, “The thief comets not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” When we seek life and security in Jesus Christ, we will find it. And this is not just the ability to survive, the ability to continue breathing, walking, etc. The is life ‘more abundantly.’ Life in Christ is truly living and not simply surviving. We can’t seek to find life in anywhere else besides Christ because He is the one and only door to eternity. He is the only One who can bridge the gap between the sinner and God.