I am the gate. Those who come in by me will be saved; they will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

John 10:9-10 (ESV)

When Jesus refers to Himself as a gate, He invites us to come in and enjoy Him. He never forces us to do anything. Rather, He gently asks us to experience life to the fullest. Just like the sheep who find pasture, we have everything we need and more with Jesus in our life.

The abundant life that Jesus offers is one of freedom, fulfilment, and fruitfulness, filled with love, joy, and peace. If we learn to comprehend the significance of Christ's life in us, we are transformed from a mediocre life to a life filled with new purpose and meaning.

In the context of John 10, Jesus was addressing the Pharisees, who refused to recognise the healing of the blind man as a miracle and proof that Jesus was the Christ (John 9). They were furiously upset because Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath. Jesus called them thieves because they used their legalistic religious traditions to deprive God's people of their healing, joy, and freedom.

Legalism is more than abiding by a strict moral code. It comes from a false understanding of God’s way of salvation. Anything that diverts our attention away from the gospel of Christ will affect our motive for why and how we serve. When that happens, we will put ministry ahead of our relationship with Him. Then burnout occurs, not because we do too much, but because we do too little of what is most genuine and meaningful.

When Jesus used the imagery of a gate to describe Himself, He was conveying a powerful message of how precious and beloved we are to Him. A gate not only keeps the sheep safe from predators but also prevents them from wandering off. Learn to focus on Him so as to live according to His will. Then there is no fear of false teachings or a false gospel that will undermine your faith and rob you of your blessings in Christ.