The Upper Room Devotional 14th December 2024 – The Gate

THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 14TH DECEMBER 2024, SATURDAY MESSAGE

Read The Upper Room Devotional 14th December 2024 written by Beverly Varnado (Georgia, USA)

TOPIC: The Gate

Today’s Reading
John 10:1-10

Jesus said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” – John 10:9 (NIV)

Today’s Message
As a friend and I were talking, she mentioned how her dog often lies in the doorway of any room she is in. I said, “Our dog Lucy does the same thing. It’s so inconvenient to step over her. Why do our dogs do that?” With an animal science degree, my friend had much insight into animal behavior. She suggested that by lying in the doorway, the dogs knew when we left and when we came back. They were shepherding us.

I remembered a lesson that we taught the youth at church about one of the “I am” statements of Jesus — “I am the gate.” In the lesson, we talked about how the shepherd would lie across the open gap in the sheep pen and literally become the gate to the pen. He did this to keep the sheep from straying or to prevent an intruder from harming the sheep. Jesus was saying that he is our shepherd and that he is watching over us.

Now, when I see Lucy in the doorway, I don’t see it as an inconvenience. I see it as a reminder of Christ’s loving care for us all and remember that Jesus is our Good Shepherd.

Today’s Prayer
Dear God, thank you for your never-ending care for us through Jesus Christ. In his name we pray. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Jesus is the gateway to abundant life.

Prayer Focus
Those who work with animals

The Upper Room Devotional 14th December 2024, is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More