I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. —John 10:7–10 Msg
Every so often I come across an ad on social media about a “ground-breaking” new technology; a new teaching; one simple life-hack that deals with ________________ (fill in the blank).
I got sucked into one recently. in the video, multiple people claimed how this new info had changed their life, and answered every question they’ve ever had! The script was engaging and (like most SM) made you want to keep listening. While I waited for the “simple hack,” they veered off into another direction, saying something like, “But have you ever wondered why…” Finally, when it came to “Click here for more information,” I was out.
Therapeutic models, Life-coaching, new technologies, all these things have a place and can be helpful. But sometimes they promise more than they can deliver.
And because we can only see life from a human perspective, our own perception is limited. That includes every system of philosophy, ancient and modern.
If you want the big picture, you need a higher perspective—because there is more to life than this life. There is a life to come. And when it comes to gaining that higher perspective, there is only one source for my money. And that is Jesus.
Jesus told his disciples that while many had come to proclaim a new way or had many followers because of their powerful personality, Jesus gives us the truth behind his coming and his purpose.
John, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, records Jesus’ words for us. Here is what he said:
“I am the Gate for the sheep.” Jesus is the entrance, for us, to God. “All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them.” While others were in it for themselves, Jesus is the one who was sent by God to be that door to the Kingdom of God. And while others claimed special knowledge available nowhere else, Jesus says “My sheep saw through all that and didn’t follow them.”
“Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture.” Not only will they enter God’s Kingdom, but they will find everything they need: protection, peace, grace, rest; wide-open spaces and all that comes with it.
Pasture. Peace.
One of the reasons I love the PNW is the unspoiled beauty of nature. You don’t have to drive far to get away from it all. Even in the brokenness of our world, we see glimpses of the beauty of what the Kingdom of Heaven will be like. Pasture.
Then he finishes with this: Remember a thief’s purpose: “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy.” A thief cares nothing about the flock. They are there to steal and destroy—to take what they want and leave nothing of value.
But Jesus says, “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.“
Real life. More and better than we’ve dreamt of. Forever. Not an extended version of this life, but life on a level we’ve never experienced.
Forever.
That is why Jesus came. No wonder we follow him.
Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
Your Daily Encouragement 