Sheep's Gate

Start with story of Bull, fence and pa pop

Ensure to hit on that the fence gave me protection and defence, passage and access, and provision.

Last week, we went into some detail on building of Solomon’s Temple and the Inner doors. Today we jump ahead in time at about 586 BC. This is when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. The Jews were taken either taken as slaves or sent into exile. Then about 539 BC the Babylonians fell to the Persians. It is then that Zerubbabel lead the exiled Jews back to Jerusalem and the temple of God was rebuilt at about 516 BC. They got the insides of Jerusalem taken care of but they forgot something major. The wall that surrounded Jerusalem. Ezra and Nehemiah noticed this. This great city was left unprotected and defenceless. For 70 years, the city was there without the great wall that it was once well known for. So Nehemiah spoke with the King of Persia, and went to get the wall built. So around 444 BC the construction of the wall began, and believe it of not, it only took them 57 days to complete.

The wall that surrounded Jerusalem consisted of twelve gates and each gate had historical and spiritual significance. None more so than the Sheep’s gate. Let’s look at what the text says...

Nehemiah 3:1 CSB

The high priest Eliashib and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it.

Why was it so important to get this gate done first? Simple worship.

The Sheep Gate was not only the first gate to be restored. It was also rebuilt by the High Priest and his fellow priests. This was the only gate to be consecrated or set apart as holy. This gate has spiritual significance in that it was the gate used to bring in the sacrifices to the Temple.

It was not an extravagant door with beautiful decor. It was two plain wooden doors that did not even lock.

It was a key gate for the worship of God.

Sometimes we forget the most important gate and pass it by because it wasn’t the biggest or finest gate.

It is the Sheep Gate that brings to us the forgiveness of our sins.

In the Old Testament, it was the Sheep Gate that opened the way for the sacrifices for our sins.

In the New Testament, it was the Sheep Gate that opened the way for the sacrifices for our sins.

On the day of his crucifixion, Jesus carried his cross out of the city, passing through the Sheep Gate.

Just as many thousands of sheep had passed through this gate, the Lamb of God passed also.

Those sheep that were brought through this gate to be offered had to examined thoroughly for any blemishes or defects before they could ever enter the city.

Only those who appeared perfect could be considered as worthy of offering to God on the Brazen Altar.

Once they were into the city and presented at the temple, they were examined even more closely insure that nothing would disqualify them for use as a sacrificial lamb.

The Law of Moses, as given to him by God, stated that only a perfect lamb would be acceptable by God as an offering for the sin of Israel...

The Sheep Gate is a symbol of the very first experience we encounter in our Christian life.

It is not through our own righteousness and our own blood, but by the perfect, precious Blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, that we are made righteous.

Not one of us could qualify to enter into the New Jerusalem without his sacrifice.

Because Jesus was accepted, the Sheep Gate of that New Jerusalem is open for all who will enter by accepting Jesus’ sacrifice for their sin.

The Sheep Gate represents, in symbolism, the cross and the sacrifice that was made for our sins.

That’s where our Salvation begins.

The first step in having any relationship with God is by coming through the Blood of the Perfect Lamb.

Hebrews 9:22 CSB

According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Hundreds of years later, we find Jesus entering Jerusalem through the Sheep Gate. He always entered the city through the Sheep Gate except for the Triumphal Entry. Another thing to note is that the Sheep Gate also led to Golgotha, the pathway Jesus took to the crucifixion. The Sheep Gate reminds us of His sacrifice. Jesus, the Lamb of God, the ultimate sacrifice

John 1:29 CSB

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

In many ways, the Sheep Gate represents our salvation. Salvation is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. The Sheep Gate had no bolts or bars. Salvation through the blood of Jesus has no bolts or bars. It is freely available to everyone who believes and puts their faith in Him.

This gate was built by the High Priest—Jesus Christ is our High Priest. His death opens the way for us and restores free access to the Father. This Sheep Gate is mentioned at the beginning and end of Nehemiah 3. Everything begins and ends with Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It’s all about His shed blood and His finished work on the cross!

The Cross of Christ is the central point of human history and the center point of eternal life.

All of God’s plans for your life and for mine are hinged upon our passage through the Sheep Gate and the acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Nehemiah was so heart-broken about the Sheep Gate’s condition!

The temple had been re-built for over 70 years and they still had not repaired the most important gate in the city.

We too should be heart-broken at the fact that so many churches try to function without the Sheep Gate in their lives.

The Sheep Gate, the place in which the sacrifices entered points us to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, for without this sacrifice there would be no forgiveness of sin, no salvation for mankind.

The good news of eternal life has to begin with the sacrificial lamb. Jesus is the Lamb!

He is the one that provides protection and defence, passage and access, and provision.

I want to leave you with these words Christ spoke

John 10:14–15 CSB

“I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.

I have protection because of his blood, I have access to God because of his blood, I have abundant life now and in heaven because of his blood.

Just like Papop willing to take out his prize bull to save my life. My Savior willing took a cross, walked through that sheep’s gate to be the sacrifice for my sins.