Who could forget that moment in the movie National Treasure when Benjamin Franklin Gates discovers the huge stockpile of precious metals, jewelry, artwork and artifacts dating back to the American Revolutionary War?
Discovering the hidden door to untold riches is everyone’s dream. When I was climbing a mountain in the Arizona desert, I discovered what looked like a vein of gold in a quartz outcropping. A few days later, my excitement turned to despair when I couldn’t find it again. I searched in vain for the vein.
When Alexandra, 9, says, “Jesus is the gate of the sheep,” she’s thinking of Jesus’ statement, “I am the door of the sheep,” (John 10:7).
Could this gate or door lead to incredible riches?
You’ve probably never thought of yourself as a vulnerable sheep that needs protection and guidance. Sheep have no natural defenses against wolves and a host of other wild animals. Like sheep in the field, we’re vulnerable to predators and circumstances beyond our control.
I was driving home one day at about 30 mph when a car came straight at me after rounding a curve and failing to keep its lane. It plowed into my door and shattered my femur (thigh bone). I still have a titanium rod in my leg that holds the bone together. If you’ve never had a vulnerable-sheep moment, your time will come.
In the world of Jesus’ day, shepherds slept at night by lying across the opening of the sheep pen. No stranger or thief could enter the sheep enclosure without going through the shepherd. The shepherd himself functioned as the door to his sheep.
“The sheep hear a voice,” says Mia, 8.
Shepherds often comingled their sheep at night when protecting them in a common pen. In the morning, the sheep separate themselves when they hear the voice of their shepherd. A flock won’t follow the voice of another shepherd.
Jesus spoke of this in John 10:5: “Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”
We live in a time when multiple voices call us through print, music, movies, texting, social media, podcasts, Google searches and mass media broadcasts. The voices to which we listen will determine our destiny. God’s voice is often blocked because we don’t take time to hear him or think about what he’s trying to tell us.
Have you enjoyed a sunrise or sunset lately? God is speaking. The beauty of creation is one of God’s major channels.
Has your conscience bothered you lately? God is speaking. Every person is born with a sense of right and wrong. Both of these God channels or voices are explained in Romans 1.
“Jesus is the gate to heaven because he was crucified,” says Arianna, 9. “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus means whoever shall enter heaven through him will be saved.”
Think about this: Bible scholar Warren Wiersbe summarizes beautifully the role of Jesus as the door and the good shepherd: “When you go through ‘the Door,’ you receive life and you are saved. As you go ‘in and out,’ you enjoy abundant life in the rich pastures of the Lord. His sheep enjoy fullness and freedom. Jesus not only gave His life for us, but He gives His life to us right now!”
Memorize this truth: John 10:7 previously quoted.
Ask this question: Is Jesus your door to eternal life? If so, are you enjoying his abundant life by following his lead as the good shepherd?
Kids Talk About God is designed for families to study the Bible together. Research shows that parents who study the Bible with their children give their character, faith and spiritual life a powerful boost. To receive Kids Talk About God three times a week in a free, email subscription, visit www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org/email.
