We are not always personally familiar with certain Biblical analogies related to the Kingdom in these verses such as sheep, gate, pasture, shepherd.  If you grew up with a pet, then perhaps you will understand the feeling behind the text.  How would your pet respond when you called the pet by name and it heard your voice?  In our Scripture, how does the sheep respond to the shepherd?  When Jesus identifies himself as the "Good Shepherd," how do you experience this image of God in your life?

When Jesus calls himself a "gate" for the sheep, how does this image of God suggest the Shepherd protecting and guarding you from things that threaten to harm or destroy you?  If the Shepherd is in control of the gate letting you in or out, what is the implied promise by the Shepherd as he leads you outside the gate?

Meditate slowly on the phrase, "I am come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly."  Substitute your name for "they."  Has your life been transformed in the image of Christ who is the Good Shepherd?  Love gives you the power to "lay down your life" on behalf of the sheep as has Jesus for you.  Will you do the same for another?  We are to love another so much until they ask, "Why?"

PRAYER: Dear God.  Thank you for the gift of being able to follow your examples in Jesus.

Lynwood Walters