When words don't seem to flow just right, it's called "writer's block". For whatever reason, I am "blocked" right now. I still want to let you know I'm here and I'm composing...but nothing is finished. So instead, I think I am going to share with you something I wrote just before Christmas for Restore Community Church. Interestingly enough, I wrote this right around the same time I had a nine little words encounter.
Hmmm...I wonder if they are linked? Is there something that I am forgetting to see about our tender Jesus? I wonder if this is a reason for the "block". Maybe.
Regardless, I love the following imagery of Jesus and the setting of summer is timely. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing the invitation.
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“I am the gate” John 10:9 (NIV)
During the summer when my husband is outside grilling and invites his friends over to our house, you can hear him say on the phone, “The gate is open. Come on in!”
During the summer when my husband is outside grilling and invites his friends over to our house, you can hear him say on the phone, “The gate is open. Come on in!”
How easy is that?
When one thinks of a gate, most of us can imagine an entry way to a yard or garden. However, the image we are brought to in scripture is very different. While Jesus was speaking to religious leaders, He calls Himself the gate. This happens at the same time Jesus is using a figure of speech calling Himself the “Good Shepherd”. He was referring to something very familiar to the people of ancient Palestine.
What we know is that at the end of a long day, shepherds would call their sheep into a pen through an opening about six feet wide. There the shepherd would “close” the gate with his own body, a physical barrier between anything wanting to steal, kill or destroy – essentially laying down his life for the safety of his sheep.
The shepherd stays with his sheep. He never leaves them alone and in the early morning hours, he “opens” the gate to lead his sheep out for food and water. The role of the shepherd is to provide nourishment, protection and guidance. The “Good Shepherd” does this everyday.
Jesus says, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10 MSG bold added) We can experience freedom while confident of His watchful loving care. Without Him, we simply cannot distinguish the right path for our lives. Through Him, He calls us in and leads us out, laying down His very life, protecting His sheep at any cost.
This Christmas, let us remember He came to show us how to experience true joy and receive eternal life with Him. Jesus is the gift. Jesus is the gate - He lays down His life for each one of us.
He has called you. The gate is open. Come on in!
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Isn't that the beauty of our Lord? He isn't just for Christmas. He is an anytime gift.
Blessings for your day,
WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THIS VERY SAME THING a couple of weeks ago in Bible Study. I didn't understand the I Am The Gate analogy until then. LOVE that!
ReplyDeleteWonder if I, too, missed something about our tender Jesus that He felt the need to tell me again...praying and meditating on this.
:)
Awesome thoughts, Lisa! Thanks for sharing the insight about Jesus as the gate.
ReplyDeleteLove you and your insight!
ReplyDeleteBTW...I'm having total writer's block, too.
It must be a time of great movement. I've been blocked as well. I love this imagery though. Thanks for sharing!
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