Jesus said . . . “I am the gate for the sheep. . . . Whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:7, 9)
Expanded Passage: John 10:1-18
When I first had my son, I knew right away I wanted to give him the best life I could. I spent the following years building play areas for him or teaching him about body parts, animals, and food. I organized a preschool curriculum for him and put together a catechism before he could even say his first word. I spent countless hours preparing the way for the man my child would grow to be.
When Jesus tells us he is the only way—the voice that leads to a full life—we must ask ourselves how we will respond. Inevitably, we all become more than sheep in our lifetimes: we guide our children or friends; we encourage or discourage them. We become the hired hands Jesus references in John 10:13. And hired hands are not bad, as long as they know they are not the true shepherd. I must continually remind myself that my son does not need my voice, but Christ’s voice echoed through me.
It takes time and intentionality to learn when to be sheep, following the beckoning of the shepherd; when to be hired hands, helping other sheep find the way; and when we are being wolves, selfishly feeding on the attention or admiration of others. Luckily, the shepherd’s call will always lead us in the right direction.
Reflect on times you’ve been a sheep, a hired hand, and a wolf.
Lindsey Priest is an Indiana Wesleyan University graduate. She likes to read to her kids, play video games with her husband, and refurbish furniture.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
