Monday Morning Devotion - Door of the Sheep
This is week THREE in our seven-part devotion series, brought to you by Pastor Ricky Jacob, our Lutheran Indian Ministries Associate Pastor serving the Winnebago people of Nebraska.
When Moses spoke to God, he asked for God’s name. And God replied, “I am that which I am.”
This seven-part devotion series will reflect on Jesus’ “I am” statements in the Gospel.
Skip to a specific week:
Bread of Life
Light of the World
Door of the Sheep
Good Shepherd
Resurrection and Light
Way, Truth, & Life
The Vine
This week's "I am" statement is: I am the Door of the Sheep
There are usually two doors in a house. I grew up using the back door, which was unlocked during the day so we could come and go. If our family went to visit someone, we were taught to go to the front door. Living on the reservation, most people go to the back door to gain entry.
Recently, I learned that a white person living in Mississippi, in the early twentieth century, would only knock on the front door of a colored family’s house, whereas a colored family was taught to only knock on the back door of a white family’s house. Growing up in the deep south, one risked their life by not following these unwritten rules.
When it comes to entering into God’s heavenly pasture, there is one, and only one, door to enter through. Jesus is that door. Listen and learn this truth as Jesus taught it:
So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:7-10 ESV)
I wonder if you are listening to Jesus. If you are, then you will hear His voice and follow Him. I am greatly encouraged by the last line in this reading. When Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Jesus came that you may have life, abundant life, now, in this fallen world, but then, so much more in the abundant pastures of Heaven with Jesus.
I close with these words:
We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20)