What Jesus Did! 'Gate for the Sheep' — John 10:7-8

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

[Jesus explained his statements about the gate and the sheep:] "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them."
— John 10:7-8 NLT

Key Thought

People were constantly looking for a messiah, and many false messiahs had come and gone. Many religious leaders were ready to claim the role of messiah. But only one was sent by God. Only one did the will of God completely. Only one was willing to lay down his life for the sheep of God. This kind of shepherd not only entered through the gate but he was also willing to lay down his own body to be the gate in the pens set up in the open fields to protect the sheep and to calm their restlessness and fears. Jesus was not seeking his own good or glory; he came to serve God's sheep - including us. Why? He did it because of his love for us and because that is what God wanted him to do and that is what a real shepherd does!

Today's Prayer

Lord God, help me not to listen to the false voices of self-appointed religious leaders who are unwilling to sacrifice for your sheep and instead want to fleece them for their own benefit. Thank you, Jesus, for being the one real shepherd that I can follow. By the authority of your name, I offer my prayer and thanksgiving. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

John 10:7,9-10
Devo: Today's Verse
"Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief...."
Enter the Gate
Illustration of John 10:7 and 9-10
Inspirational illustration of John 10:7 and 9-10 -- Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I
Son of God with Power
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Friend, There are many voices that call out to you and seek to win your heart. There are many distractions in your busy and high-tech culture..."
The Good Shepherd
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Precious One, Few passages of Scripture were more beloved in My time on earth than the twenty-third Psalm. Like in your day, many found great..."

Illustration

Illustration of John 10:7-8 NLT — "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, July 14, 2026

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Blaspheming the Holy Spirit' (Mk. 3:28-30)
"[Jesus said,] "Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never....."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: 2 Samuel 5:24
"The members of Christ's Church should be very prayerful, always seeking the unction of the Holy One to rest upon their hearts, that the kingdom of..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Wisely Invested Treasures'
"Dear Precious One, Are you worried about finances? Retirement? Funding college? Too little money at the end of too long a month? Or paying off your....."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Death Could Not Hold Him!' (Acts 2:24)
"[Peter continued his message:] "But God released [Jesus] from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!