| Over the next few days we will think together about the good news of the Gospel and what it means and includes. The old hymn "I love to tell the story" says it well, "Those who know it best, seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest." May it be a blessing to our hearts to refresh our minds with the wonder of God's plan for our salvation. While Christ was on earth He made a number of straightforward statements such as "I am the way", "I am the light of the world", and "I am the bread of life". Each one is worth our time to study and think it through. Here in our reading Christ gave us this clear picture, "I am the gate (or the door)." This verse seems to follow on the excommunication of the blind man Christ had just healed. It was almost as if he said, "Don't be concerned if they have shut you out of the temple. I am the gate and you can come into a much more important place through me." A gate gives access when open and bars access when closed. It provides security for those within and shuts out others who would disturb the ones inside. Christ showed that it is a very narrow gate – "through me" means that it is the only way to enter. But He added the word "whoever" which clearly shows that the gate is open to anyone, anywhere, anytime. The gate is Christ. In other words this means we may enter a personal living relationship with Him. We share that relationship with someone who is alive and who will meet our needs day by day. There is also a wonderful liberty and satisfaction in our position inside the gate. Did you notice the words "He will come in and go out and find pasture"? We go in for fellowship and out for service, while feeding on Christ day by day for spiritual food. What a wonderful Gospel! What certainty and assurance there are in these words "will be saved"! Do you need any more assurance than that? Christ said it. We can believe it. | 
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