In John 10:1-6, Jesus told the parable of sheepfold to the Jews and He wanted those people to know that the door was of importance to the sheepfold, and the intimate relationship between the shepherd and the sheep. But the Jews didn’t know the meaning of this parable, so Jesus said to them, “I am the door of the sheep.”

In the warmer months, the shepherd herds the sheep outdoors during the daytime. At night, he settles the sheep in the sheepfold with simple walls beside the hill. However, there is no door of the sheepfold but an entrance, and the shepherd sleeps in this entrance. Therefore, the shepherd is the door.

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (Jhn 10:9). When Jesus did His work, He spread the way of repentance. Those who heard the voice of the Lord, came before Him and accepted Him as the Savior could gain the salvation of the Lord. Just as Jesus’ disciples and the Samaritan woman, they recognized that Jesus was the coming Messiah after hearing the voice of Him. This fulfilled the Lord Jesus’ words: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (Jhn 10:27).

Now, we have been given some signs that the prophecies of the second coming of Jesus have been fulfilled. How should we be watchful so that we won’t miss out on the second coming of Jesus? This parable inspired us that we should learn to listen to God’s voice carefully. Just as Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

Speaking of the second coming of Jesus, how should we prepare so that we can recognize His voice and follow Him?