I tell you for certain that only thieves and robbers climb over the fence instead of going in through the gate to the sheep pen. ^2-3 But the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd, and he goes in through it. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice. He calls each of them by name and leads them out.

⁴ When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice. ⁵ The sheep will not follow strangers. They don’t recognize a stranger’s voice, and they run away.

I tell you for certain that I am the gate for the sheep.⁸ Everyone who came before me was a thief or a robber, and the sheep did not listen to any of them. ⁹ I am the gate. All who come in through me will be saved. Through me they will come and go and find pasture.

¹⁰ A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.

Your house has a door, only someone coming to steal will climb in through the window.  When someone calls, they ring the bell, and you let them in.  Perhaps you have an intercom, you ask who it is; or the cheery ‘hello’ as you answer the buzzer lets you know who it is.  You know that voice, they are welcome and you buzz them in.

Someone who doesn’t know your name, is not looking for you but for a customer of a supporter, not you but anyone; someone just looking to make a sale, not caring for your need, but their profit; they are not welcome and the door is closed, entry refused.

Have you been sucked in by doorstep salesmen?  Believed their ‘too good to be true’ tales?  Left the window open and had someone climb in?  They didn’t know you, love you, or care about you.  They came to take from you.

Now I am here.  I know your every need, your deepest need.  I come to meet it now. I bring life, true life, the best life and I bring it to you now.

Come Lord,
to my life.

You know what I need.
Thank you for bringing it
to me.

May I welcome you
and receive all you have
to give me

I Will Sing the Wondrous Story