Children's Message 5/3/20

"The Way to God"

May 3, 2020

John 10:1-10

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

All of us had to use doors to get here today. Your day may have started at your bedroom door. You may have left your home through the front door or the garage door. You had to open and closed the car or truck door. Finally you came through the Church door.

What are some of the things doors do for us? Some doors keep things safe by having them locked up. Other doors give us privacy when they are closed. The shower door keep the water in the shower so the water doesn't ruin the floor. Closet doors keep the mess out of sight. Cabinet doors keep things from falling out of them onto the floor.

What are some of your favorite doors? I like the sliding doors at the stores that open automatically. Another fun door is a revolving door. People can go in and out of a building without the cold air getting in or out. The door to the big vault at the bank keeps our money safe.

Today's Gospel reading is how the shepherd puts his sheep into the sheep pen at night. He sleeps right at the door. He makes his body like a door. Anyone coming in or trying to go out must go through him. That is how he keeps his sheep safe.

Jesus tells us in the Gospel lesson that He is a door. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, keeps us, his sheep, safe. He watches over us and protects us from harm and danger. Jesus is also the way into the sheep pen or heaven. John 14:6 says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes unto the Father except through me."

The Good Shepherd calls His sheep. Jesus calls us through the Gospel. He invites us to follow Him. We listen to Him and He leads us to heaven. Through Him we have access to the heavenly kingdom because He died for us and rose so our sins are forgiven. Thank God for our Good Shepherd.