Enter Through the Gate

This is the time of year we used to be busy with sheep shows, 4-H weigh ins, exercising and feeding lambs for the summer. One of the first things that happened each spring was sorting all of the lambs after weaning them from their mothers. The photo shows one spring's crop of lambs as John looked them over and chose the best of the flock.

Lamb sorting on the farm.

I love this picture. All the lambs are facing the same direction, looking at their shepherd, waiting for a signal to move or escape. The only way to get them together like this is to force them into a small space.

"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He 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 10:9-10 NIV).

The sheep are looking for a gate. They will take any opportunity they see to escape. In this picture the shepherd was guarding the gate closely. These lambs do not yet understand that the shepherd is their source of safety, protection, and care. Only the old ewes become wise enough to trust in the shepherd, and even they are cautious and skeptical.

We, like sheep, lack trust sometimes. We worry and fret, instead of turning to Jesus, our gate to salvation. Through Jesus alone, we find rest...in the pasture of lush green grass that delights the sheep. Jesus came to give us life to the full...lavish, unsparing, and bountiful, without boundaries, or fences. Jesus welcomes us.

Come and partake of a life of fullness with Jesus. His gate is always open to you.