What Jesus Did! 'The Shepherd Uses the Gate' — John 10:1-2

Saturday, July 11, 2026

[Jesus said,] "I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber! But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep."
— John 10:1-2 NLT

Key Thought

If you want to know the attributes of God's shepherd, John 10 is the chapter for you. Of course, the ultimate shepherd is God, and Jesus comes to us as God in human flesh. Jesus didn't sneak into a leadership position or hide himself and run some subversive movement. Instead, he publicly ministered to God's people in open sight. There were no secret meetings to determine policy and no clandestine rendezvous to plan the overthrow of the current leadership. Instead, Jesus did what he did openly before the people and in the presence of God. Any other way and any other shepherd are not to be trusted.

Today's Prayer

Father, bless me as I follow Jesus as my shepherd. Thank you for his public ministry before the people. Thank you for sharing that ministry through the Gospels in the Bible. In Jesus' name, I thank you. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of John 10:1-2 NLT — "I tell you the truth, anyone who sneaks over the wall of a sheepfold, rather than going through the gate, must surely be a thief and a robber!"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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