By, Tim Irving – Evangelism Team
Jesus used different analogies when referring to Himself, the Light of the world, the Bread of life, the way, the truth, and the life, all of which we can easily grasp, but the analogy the people of His time could readily relate to was I am the Good Shepherd. While these days shepherding isn’t the most popular profession, back then it was a way of life for many people and most knew the work, the hardships, and the dangers faced in being a good shepherd. Shepherds knew their sheep, cared for their sheep, protected their sheep, and their sheep knew them and the sound of their voices. Sheep aren’t on the high side of the intelligence scale and they can easily be led astray. Funny how the Lord likens people to sheep yet Jesus still wants to be our Good Shepherd. He knows us, He knows our name! Sheepfolds only had one way in and one way out and the shepherd would stand at that gate guarding against any possible predators. So too does Jesus want to stand at the gate of our hearts, to protect us from any harmful thing that may try to enter there. But, do you have a hidden back door, maybe only a little one that nothing too harmful could sneak in through, but one only you have the key to open? You choose the gatekeeper to your heart. If you choose or have chosen Jesus, allow Him to control your whole heart! Allow Him to seal up any secret passages or trap doors, allow Him to guard it, and allow Him to truly be your Good Shepherd!