Comparing a person to a shepherd and his sheep is not that common today, but it was common in the Middle East during the time of Jesus. Kings and priests were often called shepherds and their people sheep. Great leaders like Moses and David were called “shepherds” over Israel. Some of the well-known passages in the Bible are about a shepherd and his sheep (Psalm 23; Isaiah 53:6; Luke 15:1-7).[1]

Each morning, a shepherd entered a walled enclosure made of stone. This is where several flocks of sheep were kept at night. The shepherd’s flock came to him when they heard his familiar voice. He then led them from the pens to the fields. Near the pasture was another enclosure for the sheep. The sheep could go into the field or, if they were afraid, could retreat into the security of the corral. The shepherd stood at the entrance and functioned as the door or gate of the pen.

John 10:7-9
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.”

Jesus used the name, door of the sheep, as a spiritual description of the only way a person can enter a relationship with God. Only Jesus can open the door to the secure provision that he has for you. Jesus is the “gatekeeper” who invites you and allows passage into the safety of the “pen.” There is only one entrance and one door of the sheep. The question to settle is this: Have you entered God’s eternal provision through his Son, Jesus Christ?

Father,
Thank you for your provision of eternal life through Jesus. Because of Jesus, the door of the sheep, we know that when we are absent from the body, we will be present with you.
Thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

[1] Bible Knowledge Commentary, John, 309.