Hello First Family!

Today’s Code word is Gate.

When we think of a Gate, we think of a passageway through a fence or entrance into a property. A gate is an important feature in security and in transitioning from one area into another. Ancient city gates were important in biblical times as major places of trade and where the city elders would govern. Jesus referred to Himself as the Gate in one of the seven “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John. In John 10:9 Jesus states, “Yes, I am the Gate. Those who come in through Me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.” In this passage, Jesus is talking about the behavior of sheep to their shepherd. As sheep were grazing in the open pasture, shepherds would build temporary sheep pens by stacking rocks on top of each other. These sheep pens would be used to organize and protect sheep at night from the dangerous predators looking for a quick meal. Shepherds could not build the gate of the sheep pen out of rocks, so the shepherd became the gate as he would lie down in the opening of the walled sheep pen. Sheep could not get out because of the shepherd and predators could not get in. So, by Jesus saying, “I am the Gate,” He was stating that anyone who wanted to be saved had to come through Him. Thank you Jesus!

Today’s verse to ponder is from Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” When you see a gate today, think of Jesus and thank him for providing the Way. See ya tomorrow on our Journey to the Cross.

Pastor Kevin