I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
God’s Old Testament entrance into His fold was His love, grace, and mercy, and this has now found fulfillment in Christ. “All the Old Testament institutions, prophecies, and promises, so far as they referred to access into God’s fold, meant Christ.” (Edersheim) This is the only door; either a man enters this way, or he remains outside.
To “come in and out” means to have security and safety. To have free movement in and out of a nation means no war; to have free movement about one’s home or town means no crime.
Numbers 27:15-17 Moses said to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all mankind, appoint a man over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
To find pasture means to have provision.
Psalms 23:1-6 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.