We’ve been looking at Jesus’ “I Am” titles. In John 10 you have two of them. He identifies Himself as “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (verses 8-10).
These verses make it clear, this designation indicates there is only one way into the security of the sheepfold. The gatekeeper allows only the right sheep into his sheepfold. Once in the fold, he becomes a human door keeping the sheep in and any undesirable intruder out.
The shepherd takes his own sheep out to green pastures of his choosing and then leads them back into the safekeeping of the fold. For sheep, this provides the benefits necessary for a full and fruitful life. This is why Jesus continued by declaring, “I am the good shepherd” (verse 11). We, as wandering, aimless sheep can have a full and fruitful life if we turn to Jesus, the good shepherd, and trust in His care for us.
Four times in these few verses He says He is willing to lay down His life for His sheep. Verse 18 says, “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again.” With this authority He is able to keep safe anyone who entrusts their life to Him.
Verses 27-29 declare, no one can snatch such a one out of His hand. In fact, you’re doubly secure, because no one can snatch you out of His Father’s hand. Why not enter into the sheepfold through the gate, Jesus Christ, and entrust yourself to Him, the good shepherd, to keep you safe and secure for eternity.
