Safe inside the Fold

“I am the gate for the sheep.” John 10:7

In Bible times, and even today, shepherds sometimes keep their flocks in a fenced-in area. This is especially necessary during the winter and often at night time. The fenced area is called a “fold” or “sheep pen.” The fold could be a cave that serves to protect the sheep or it could be a wall of rocks around the flock. Sometimes the shepherd places thorn bushes on top of the fence to keep out dangerous animals or robbers who would want to steal the sheep. The shepherd sits at the gate of the pen to be certain the flock will be safe from harm.

Jesus said in John 10: “’I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.’ Then Jesus went on to say, ‘The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep . . . I am the gate for the sheep . . . I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.’” Jesus is telling us that he is the door through which we must pass to enter the sheep fold. There we will find peace and safety from those who will harm us or destroy us. But Jesus wasn’t talking about just any sheep fold. He was picturing heaven. He said that we can only see the beauty of heaven if we first pass through him. He meant that everyone who believes in him as their Savior will be allowed to enter into that heavenly pen. There is no other gate to the sheepfold. Jesus is the only one.

What a blessing it is knowing that the Good Shepherd wants us in his fold. Certainly there will be times that we foolishly wander away from the pen when we struggle with our sins. It is then that Jesus searches for us so that he might gently lead us back again. Our Good Shepherd knows the best place for us. He knows we will always find safety and protection near him.

Jesus also said in John 10:16: “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.” What a beautiful picture those words paint for us. Jesus does this by sending us into the fields of the world to share the good news of our Shepherd with everyone. Let us thank Jesus for loving us so much that he wants to be our Good Shepherd.

Then within Your fold eternal,

Let us find a resting place,

Feed in pastures ever vernal,

Drink the rivers of Your grace. Amen.

(This devotion is from the book “Living for Jesus” by Reynold R. Kremer)