The Sheepfold

In John 10:1, Berean Standard Bible, Jesus makes this statement: “Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.” Jesus’s statement reveals significant truth regarding being sheep under a shepherd. Jesus reveals sheep are meant to be in a place of protection. They need protection. From what? Predators. That’s what’s on the outside of the sheepfold. Further, Jesus also reveals that predators always seek to find a way into the sheepfold through some other way than entry by the gate to the sheepfold (an enclosure where sheep are kept safe). Who are they? Jesus calls them, “a thief and robber”. In other words, they are there to harm the sheep and steal from the shepherd. That’s what I’d like to talk about in this post.

First, all sheep need a sheepfold, a place where they’re protected from predators. Wandering around and grazing everywhere is extremely dangerous for sheep. Why? Sheep are food. Predators love to have sheep for dinner. And sheep are often oblivious to the predator until their last moment. Yet, when the predator strikes, the sheep realize their error (only it’s too late). Shepherds, on the other hand, look to protect sheep from predators; “they foresee[] danger and take[] precautions.” Proverbs 22:3, NLT. And right here, we see the dualistic nature of Christ: the predator versus the prey and the protector versus the greater predator.

My question: Are you in the sheepfold? Or are you outside the sheepfold? If you’re not in the sheepfold, then you’re in danger. Jesus makes this explicit statement about entering the sheepfold: “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.” John 10:9, NLT. Notice, Jesus Christ alone is the gate to the sheepfold. There’s no other gate to enter the sheepfold. Often, ministers can make this statement about accepting Christ, and it does mean that. But, it also mean more. 

What more? That Christ must be the lens of the focus of our lives; He alone is the gate into the safety of the sheepfold. And once we know Him, we can roam freely, for we know Him and He knows us. Notice, Jesus says, “they will come and go freely”. If that doesn’t describe your Christian experience, it might be because you don’t see your life and your world through Him. Now, when Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6, KJV.  It’s only in and through Him that we know His way, His truth, and His life. That’s what’s available to us when we enter the sheepfold.

Further, in the sheepfold, we aren’t alone. Outside the sheepfold, we’re on our own. With all of the predators in our world, doesn’t that scare you? It should. Why? Being outside the sheepfold and not seeing the gate to the sheepfold is dangerous. Yet many are comfortable in that danger. They’re exposed and predators can see them. Sometimes, without even knowing it, they’ll befriend a wolf and not even know it. And that’s the danger of being outside the sheepfold and not being able to see the gate of the sheepfold — we can become easy targets for predators.

Please understand: Satan sees you as food. That’s how wolves see sheep — as prey. That’s how thieves see the sheepfold — a place of prey. Unfortunately, much of the Church has never been taught about the sheepfold. Nor have they been taught to identify the gate to the sheepfold. Yes, every action, thought, and word must be viewed through the person of Jesus Christ…always, each and every day. No exceptions, no excuses. That’s how we maintain our spiritual walk — knowing where the sheepfold is and how to enter the sheepfold. 

Unless you know the sheepfold, you’re a target. Satan will come after you. He will target you because you’re easy pickings. A sheep without knowledge of the sheepfold and shepherd is truly in a dangerous place. That’s why we must sit under a qualified shepherd and not a quack. Unfortunately, we have too many quacks and an underrepresented category of shepherds. True shepherds, not hirelings, are in short supply. And because believers haven’t learned how to discern and distinguish between the true shepherd and false hireling, we have many many believers falling victim to hirelings. 

Yet, that falls on us. How? We have failed to learn to discern and distinguish between the two. We haven’t learned about the sheepfold. We don’t view things through the gate. We have our own way of looking at things. And, in the end, we get what we deserve. That’s the hard truth. Satan deals in soft lies. And many fall for his lies because they’re easy to swallow. Isn’t it time we own our ignorance, our arrogance, our brazenness, our laziness, our acceptance of sinful conduct and behavior. Yes, that’s on us! And one word brings the solution — repent. 

To enter the sheepfold, you must repent. You must change. You must confess your sheepishness. You must be willing to say, “Lord, I’m a sheep. I can make bad, dumb decisions. I’m sorry. Help me to see you and follow you each and every day. Help, Lord!” That’s where we must begin. We must enter the sheepfold through the great shepherd of all the sheep — the Lord Jesus Christ, daily! 

May God allow you to enter the sheepfold today by and through the gate! 

Let us pray!

— Scott Wallis