Christ Is The Access To The Father

MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

Acts 11:1-18
Gospel: Jn 10:1-10

In today’s reading, Peter faced criticism for associating with uncircumcised people. However, he defended himself by saying that he was only following God’s instructions. He believed that everyone should have the opportunity to hear and believe in God’s message, regardless of their current beliefs.

In the gospel, Jesus healed a man who was born bound on the Sabbath day. The Pharisees began to investigate the matter, and Jesus used the opportunity to teach the crowd about the concept of spiritual blindness.

Jesus then took the message further and referred to Himself as the gate. He said, “I tell you most solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but gets in some other way is a thief and a brigand.” He also stated, “I am the gate.”

Gates serve the purpose of keeping sheep in and thieves and bandits out. They also represent the idea of closing to death and opening to life. The imagery of the gate is fascinating because it applies to various aspects of our lives, including our country, state, town, and personal lives. For instance, in Nigeria, there is a lot of insecurity and poor leadership.

The gates of national security have been opened for only a few, whereas everyone needs security. Similarly, in commerce and business, some people have found the answer, while others have not. Together, these examples show that the gate swings both ways.

Some homes have opened their doors to selfishness and pride, which has resulted in chaos, while others have opened their doors to Jesus, and they have received blessings of peace and joy even in difficult situations. For some people, life is all about material possessions and quantity, while for others, it’s about faith, hope, and love.

However, the quality of life is essentially about living a virtuous life, which involves being good, merciful, faithful, righteous, loving, and peaceful. It’s more about compounding value than compounding interest.

Jesus is the door/gate for the sheep, and He tells us that we can only be saved if we believe in Him and follow Him as our Shepherd (cross). In John 10:10, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Matthew Henry once said in his commentary on John chapter 10 that “The great Shepherd of the sheep knows all that are his, guards them by his providence, guides them by his Spirit and word, and goes before them, as the Eastern shepherds went before their sheep, to set them in the way of his steps.”

Therefore, the primary mark of a good shepherd is that he is willing to die so that the sheep might live. This is what the story of the cross is all about. Christ died for us so that we may have life, life in abundance. Jesus is the good shepherd.

He calls to his people, his sheep, who know his voice, will follow him, and will never be cast out. If we are His sheep and believe that He is the Messiah, we can be sure that He will never cast us away, even when the world does.

PRAYER

On bended kneels I entreat You, Almighty God, listen to my cry! Send Your Spirit to unlock every wooden or iron door closed against my life, work and future. Guide and guard me by Your Angel to the place of blessings and favours. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Have a great week ahead.

Fr Joseph Osho