THE LIVING CHRIST AND HIS SHEEP

FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2021

In Christ, we are members of the family of God and we are being raised under the office of the good Shepherd - Christ Jesus. For this reason, every aspect of our lives must revolve around belonging to Christ and the dignity of His Shepherdship.

Reference: John 10:7 Contemporary English Version (CEV) "Jesus said: I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep."

Jesus, the true living God emphasized, "I can guarantee this timeless truth: I am the gate for the sheep", which leads to life. Jesus is the good shepherd and the saints are His sheep. He said, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture "(John 10:9 NIV). This gate connects to how He watches over His own and provides for them.

I read that in Christ's era and ministry days, sheep were housed in pens with high walls and a single narrow opening. Those sheep would move in or out at the sound of their shepherd's voice and so they only responded to the voice of their shepherd and thus remained well controlled and secure. In other words, they practised an attitude of submission and acceptance, well understood and approved by the true Shepherd.

What is the significance of Jesus being the gate for the sheep? The gate is an allegory of the spiritual life we live in Christ; therefore, it is the gate that provides supernatural safety for those who belong to Christ and leads them to their supplies. This gives us the awareness of unity with the Godhead and supernatural security.

As Christians, we are divinely controlled in Christ and this also means that we are no strangers to Him, because He knows us as His sheep and we are all known, no matter where we are. Romans 8:14 noted that we are controlled by His Spirit. It says, "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." Following this leading is an evidence that you're born into the family of the Divine and you're loved and thoroughly accepted by God.

Jesus as our gate, gives us a deeper sense of belonging and identity in God. Also think of communication because this sense of belonging actually affords us any level of interaction with Christ as we grow in faith because He knows His sheep and His sheep know and respond to His voice. We are not visitors or strangers but the sons of God. Our fellowship is with God and Christ Himself because of our faith in Christ and union with Him. The Bible says in Galatians 3:26, "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus."

As our gate, Jesus is the gateway to God. He said to Thomas, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6 ESV). As long as you have Christ in you, the Bible says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).

As born again Christians, we are hardwired for divine connection, for in Him we live and move and exist (Acts 17:28 NLT). Understanding this helps us to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit and commit ourselves to a more fulfilling glorious destiny in Christ. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Isaiah 40:11; John 10:9; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4.

Exuberant Declaration: I am confident and complete in Christ who is the true Shepherd of my spirit, soul, body and life. Christ as the gate is framed in a way that connects deeply to my divine supplies and my personal relationship with God and I'm grateful to God for this truth. I belong to Christ, I'm led by His Spirit, and I'm treated with special care and salvation. Thankfully, I'm joyful that this truth is boldly expressed in my confession. Hallelujah!