The Significance of the Sheep Gate

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season : Lenten Season - 4th Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel :  Jn 5:1-16*

*First Reading : Ez 47:1-9, 12*

*The Significance of the Sheep Gate*

*1) The concept of Sheep gate*

The Gospel reading of the day speaks about the Sheep gate 

It was called the Sheep Gate because it was the entrance for sheep entering into the Temple compound from the sheep markets (where lambs were sold for sacrifice in the Temple)

Then the sheep was led to the sheep pool (later known as Pool of Bethesda), where sheep were washed for sacrificing.

*2) The Holiness of the Sheep gate*

The Sheep Gate was the first gate to be restored 

It was rebuilt by the High Priest and his fellow priests.

This was the only gate that was consecrated (set apart as holy), as it was used for bringing in sacrifices for the temple.

*3) Jesus the Sheep Gate*

In John 10:7 Jesus says, *Very truly I tell you, I am the Gate for the Sheep*

One who enters through this gate will be safe and he/she will be saved for eternity. He/she will be led to eternal life through this gate 

So Sheep gate is not an ordinary concept in the bible, but it is a salvation door, it is a narrow door which leads to light and eternity 

*4) Jesus and the Sheep Gate*

When Jesus was on earth, He always entered Jerusalem via the Sheep Gate (except for the Triumphal Entry).

The Sheep Gate also led to Golgotha, the path Jesus took to the crucifixion.

So the Sheep gate is the part and parcel of Jesus' life 

Finally Jesus Himself became the sheep gate to save the entire humanity 

*5) The Spiritual meaning of the Sheep gate*

Spiritual meaning of Sheep Gate is death and offering the Lamb (the Lord Jesus), which death, blood and resurrection bring us forgiveness of sins and redemption. 

The high priest was setting up the doors of the Sheep Gate, which means that He is the Door of the sheep.

Through the Lord Jesus a man will be saved from the power of death-, sin and eternal damnation to eternal life.

*6) Lent is a time to enter through the Sheep Gate*

For us, Jesus is the Sheep gate. We are supposed to enter through this gate in order to have a deeper spiritual experience in our life 

A person can be saved only through the sheep gate 

Sheep gate always represents the sacrifice and death 

So if we are ready to sacrifice our life and die ourselves to the worldly things we can enter through the sheep gate 

Am I ready to sacrifice and to die for the Worldly things, bodily pleasures, greed, anger, jealousy, revenge, division, ego, etc? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*