1st June 2026
Saved by Christ
“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)
This verse reminded me of an ewe we gained as a helpless lamb. We had been visiting another sheep farm, and in a pen was an ewe with a deformed lamb. It would soon die, the owner said. My daughter took an interest in it and the shepherd said she could have it if she caught it. That was the wrong thing to say because she quickly jumped in the pen and brought it out. It had a challenging time feeding and standing and we thought we lost it a few times, but it did manage to live with our tender care.
We all were helpless lambs struggling under the oppression of our sin. Born into this world already damaged by the sin of Adam and Eve. Without help we struggle to stand on our own, we find life is a challenge beyond our ability. Jesus took pity on our position in life. He saw our damaged existence, and he acted for our salvation; nurturing us, and giving us healing and a purposeful life. Like my daughter’s compassionate action saving that lamb, I vision Jesus swooping down and picking us up into his arms.
My daughter called this lamb Lilly. It went everywhere with her and it even rode in her doll buggy. As the lamb matured, she had full run of the farm. If Lilly wanted in the next pasture, she would indicate it by hitting the gate with her hoof and we would let her in or out so she could get to the pasture of her choice. She had freedom and she had security.
We have freedom and security in Jesus Christ. Others in our past have tried to control us. They told us what to do and what to believe; they often had malicious intent as John 10:10 mentions. We now have a relationship with Jesus. We have been ‘liberated’ as The Voice words it in John 10:9. Jesus came to give us life, and this life is more than struggling to stay alive, it is an abundant life with all the blessings of God; a future, a purpose, and peace that overflows within us. It is his life within us with which we are blessed.
What will we do with this freedom? We are free to follow Jesus without fear or worry. We know Jesus loves us and would never do us harm. We are free to live our life for Jesus and follow him instead of the voices of this world. We are free to mature and grow closer to him. I am free to believe I belong to him and am worthy in his sight. I have freedom from the sin that chained me, from the lies that covered the truth of who God is and who I am. I am free to be who God created me to be.
Prayer
Merciful God, we thank you for your gift of Jesus and the salvation you blessed us with. Thank you for swooping down from heaven to rescue us and give us a new life through your precious Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for the freedom from the grip of sin that had us chained to our darkness. What comfort and security you give to us as we experience your love for us. May your name be lifted up on the lips of all people and may you get the praise of which you are so worthy. I pray this in Jesus my Saviour’s name, Amen.
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Study by: Anne Gillam About the author: |
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