Gates, we see them at our every turn and we open and close them without a moment of thought; they are our entry into a place or a means to get out of a place. But we often forget that gates are serving a purpose. They are a boundary of sorts.
A pathway to a specific area of interest that is monitored and guarded.
Back in the Old Testament there is a story in Nehemiah 3 about restoring the battered and worn battle ground of Jerusalem. And there are 10 gates that are mentioned, that are evaluated for repair. I have loved this story all my life because gates are such a relative faction of everyday life whether they are physical gates of entry and exit or mental gates that we open and close to discern information, emotions, and coping mechanisms that aid in our decision making process. But never have I ever heard an analogy of the Gates of Old Jerusalem to the New Testament until last Sunday when our pastor, John Crimmins challenged us to look a little further at the Gates of God’s City, Part 1 of his series. He wrote that: Because of our brokenness, we stand in continual need of the manifold grace of God, and it is available in Christ to all of His people. These 10 gates of old Jerusalem point us to 10 ways in which the grace of God is available to His people.
So here is the New Testament analogy of the gates that brought this Old Testament story full circle into my understanding:
1) Sheep Gate - we are the sheep Christ is the gate
2) Fish Gate - first disciples - called to be fishers of men
3) Old Gate - By extension of generations - senior saints value of maturity we learn from our elders - seed the old ways
4) Valley Gate - disappointments, hurts, tough times break ups..power of the Holy Spirit overcomes
5) The Dung Gate - place to drop off garbage - sin has been overruled and forgiven by Christ - the gate that separates us from Christ
6) The Fountain Gate - spring of water - from our fountain of faith springs hope and trust and endurance
7) The Water Gate - remember the lady at the well - living water - great resevoir of water
8) Horse Gate - the place where the militants gathered - we are soldiers on earth to fight for the kingdom of God, for truth and good vs evil, we are to gather our troops for battle each day
9) East Gate - no need for repair nothing needs to be done to complete God’s word.
10) Inspection Gate - Judgement - entry way for the people of God
When we round out our city of life, we come upon these various gates, for they are our entry way into to the power and grace of Jesus Christ. These gates are what make our fortress in Christ complete, and though we stand in different entry spots in our lives, we all are faced with gates in need of repair. It is through Christ that challenges of restoring and maintaining our gates is possible and the availability of His grace is opened into our lives.
(Fish Gate) being witnesses of the grace we have seen through miracles and God’s presence,
(Old Gate) incorporating new ways without letting go of valued wisdom of older generations,
(Valley Gate) counting on the Holy Spirit to give us the power to overcome hurdles of pain, brokenness, troubled times etc.
(Dung Gate) getting rid of the garbage and sins that are keeping you unhinged
(Fountain Gate) drawing on a faith which springs forth fountains of hope, peace, trust and endurance,
(Water Gate) drinking in the living waters of an active and present God for nourishment and sustainment
(Horse Gate) being warrior ready for battle
(East Gate) standing on the word of God which remains complete and unearthed, this gate needs no attention only to be well oiled and well used
(Inspection Gate) - the hard fast reality that to believe in Christ is the gateway to his forgiveness and everlasting life.
Dear Lord, may we enter your gate of thanksgiving no matter where we stand in the fortress of our lives. Help us to be strong and manage the gates that you deem need repair according to your will. Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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