Scripture to Read: Nehemiah 3:1-2
God has called each of us to a place of service to accomplish His work, for His good pleasure (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:14). As we begin our journey through Nehemiah 3, we see how God used many different people to rebuild the wall and the gates around Jerusalem. God has Nehemiah first mention Eliashib, the high priest, and his brothers, the priests, who joined the work and built the Sheep Gate. The Sheep Gate was the gate where shepherds brought their sheep to sell them. Many of those sheep would be offered up as sacrifices to God at the temple. The Sheep Gate was also the same gate our Lord Jesus Christ entered into Jerusalem, as the Lamb of God (John 1:29). The Sheep Gate represents the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Sheep Gate is the gate everyone must enter first. The cross of Christ is the only place anyone can begin their relationship with God. Once our relationship with God is established, through our Lord Jesus Christ, then we can begin serving our God for His glory. The high priest and his brothers set the example to be about God’s work that He had laid on Nehemiah’s heart. Being about God’s work is what all of God’s under-shepherds should do. God tells us this, through Peter in 1 Peter 5:2-3. As we follow the example of our under-shepherds, we also are to carry out the ministry God has for us.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about being involved in His work?
2. What work of ministry are you currently involved in or are you getting involved in?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!