Scripture Scribbles: April 30, 2023

the Gospel

John 10:1-10

Jesus said:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

the devotion

Aahhh!  John 10:10!!  This is one of the first bible verses I claimed to “know.”  It is one of the first bible verses I wrote in bold sharpie and shared with a confirmation class as I was giving my testimony.  It is one that I felt, how can anyone argue with this verse?

“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” 

Abundantly! An abundant life. Doesn't that sound delightful?

Abundant love, abundant mercy, abundant grace, abundant forgiveness….Jesus came to offer us this.

I remember learning when you read “Amen, Amen,” in the bible, Jesus is saying “Listen, carefully, this is very important.”  He’s sharing that it is through HIM you will have an abundant life.  It is HIM you are seeking.  It is HE who will give you peace.

He said, “Whoever enters through ME will be saved.”… “I am the gate.” When my husband and I had our first home, our yard was decently big with a fence completely around three of the sides.  The front however was open to the driveway.  My dad, equipped with tools and lumber, completed the fence and built us a GATE to secure the yard and make it safe.  We had two little boys and our brand new baby girl at that time, already outnumbered, the gate gave us the security to have all the little ones safe inside with us.  Inside was our own little green pasture, safe and protected. At our next house where we added three more little boys to our brood, guess what my dad did?  He came over, tools and lumber, and built us a sturdy GATE for our yard.  He was showing us he loved us and wanted us to feel protected. Just like Jesus is offering us Himself AS the gate, He will protect us, guide us, provide for us, keep us from danger……lay down his life for us.

Who’s voice are we listening to? The voice of the Father? Our Father? HE is the gate and we get to enter into His heavenly Kingdom only through Him. So by listening to his voice and following his example, he is not only offering us the greatest promise, Eternal Life, he is offering us an abundant life here and now. Let's all walk, hey, let’s run! Let’s run through this gate and enjoy this abundant life overflowing with God's goodness.

Today’s devotion was written by Beth Brennan