THE GATE

by Wendy Kleker

         The sun sank below the distant hills.  The air was turning chilly, the coyotes howling not so far away, the frogs starting their night song. Somewhere near by on a rock ledge a mighty lion yawned and stood up stretching his tawny length.  Scanning the valley below, he licked his lips as he watched the grazing sheep.  He knew they posed no problem. An easy meal.  No danger.  Very little effort.  The lion would satisfy his hunger soon.

             The shepherd, with long robes billowing in the evening breeze, thumped his staff on the ground three times and sounded a long whistle, then turned to march over the hill.  The white and black sheep dotted in the valley lifted their heads and quickly fell into line to follow the shepherd.

            They came to the fold before darkness had fallen and the sheep filed by the shepherd through the open gate, gladly seeking the safety it provided against prowling lions and sulking bears in the blackness of night.   The fold was dug into the hill with one side being a rock wall, tall enough and strong enough to keep even the great cats at bay. 

            The only vulnerable place in the fold was the opening.  Having no hinges or wood, the shepherd could not make a gate to bar the way.  So, after building a fire and preparing a simple meal, the shepherd stretched himself out in that opening to sleep.  Nothing in the night could go into the fold without rousing the shepherd.  Inside the sheep were safe and the next morning they would be led to good pastures.

            The lion on the rocks above twitched his tail and snarled his anger to the night.  If only the shepherd would leave his post at the gate for a moment, if only he would leave the sheep alone.  But he never does.  He’s always there. 

            Jesus says, “I am the gate, whoever enters through Me will be saved.  He will come in and go out and will find safe pastures. I am the good Shepherd.  The good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”  John 10:9

            Do you follow the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for you?

            Have you come into the fold through the Gate?

Now is the time, today, before darkness falls, before the lion stalks.

THE LAMB

         A lion was stalking the Lamb.  Emmanuel–God with us—turned to face the lion.  His lion was death and Hades and the Prince of Darkness.

            Jesus went to the Mount of Olives in great fear, with much trembling and feeling such anguish that he cried tears of blood.  He wept for Himself, for the pain and separation from His beloved Father, for the great load of sin He must bear.  He wept and he struggled, He cried and he sought another way, but yet He knew there was no other way for the lost to be found.  For sheep to come into the fold.  For you and for me to see the light of Gory.  He is the Door. 

            Jesus is the truth. 

                        The way. 

                                 The life. 

                                         No man comes unto the Father but by Him.

            No one could have made Him do it.  Even the Father would not have forced His Son to lay down His life.  Even though He knew He faced great pain, tremendous suffering, and utter darkness Jesus surrendered to His Father as he whispered, “Not My will, but Thine be done”.

            The Son of God left the garden in chains under Roman guard, destined for the cross.  But he left with His head up and His back straight.  No more trembling, no more tears, no more fear.

            He walked that torturous path of pain.  He carried the tremendous burden of sin.  He existed in utter darkness of evil. 

            Jesus is the Prince of Peace, the Morning Star, The Everlasting Light, The Lamb of God.  He shut the lion’s mouth and parted the sea.  He smashed the walls of Jericho and wiped out an army as numerous as grasshoppers with 300 men.  He walked on water and fed ten thousand people with one fish and two loaves.  He turned water into wine and called his friend from the grave.  

            Jesus burst from the tomb!

                      He is victorious!

                               He defeated death and overcame evil!

                                         He rent the veil and opened the door of Heaven! 

                                                      He is Victorious!

            He stands with open arms and beckons you to His wounded side.

“Come to Me,” He says, “all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.”

The Victory is WON!

The price is paid.

Your way is bought.

Take the gift,

Grab His hand.

Fall into His arms.

He is the Door walk through!

Jesus!  The Risen King!