The Sheepfold

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold. but climbeth in some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep (John 10:1-2).

Sheep are mentioned in the Bible more than 500 times, and our word "pastor" comes from the Latin word for a shepherd. As dusk approached, the shepherd would gather his flock into an enclosed area known as a "sheepfold." Then, the shepherd would lay down in front of the opening and become a human gate, keeping the sheep safe by preventing predators from getting in or the sheep from wandering out.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture  (John 10:9).

The sheepfold was important because unless the sheep followed the shepherd, they wouldn't be safe. In John 10, Jesus uses this analogy. He is the shepherd who protects his sheep. He is the door whereby his sheep find both safekeeping and a way to have their needs met. If we accept Him as our shepherd, we will be saved and have an eternity with Him in heaven. 

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice (John 10:4).

Just outside most villages, there might be a community sheepfold where several shepherds would bring their flocks for the night. All the sheep would be mixed together and the shepherds would take turns being the gate. In the morning, when it got time to leave, each shepherd would call his flock, and they would come because they knew his voice. Do you recognize the voice of your Shepherd? Do you follow Jesus when he calls?

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine (John 10:12).

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