Lent continues by inviting us to consider not only where we are going, but who we can trust along the way.

In this third meditation of our Lenten series, I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus, we slow down with Jesus’s words in John 10:7–10:
“I am the gate.”

Jesus offers this image in response to growing confusion and distrust among the people. Many had been poorly cared for by religious leaders and were unsure who to listen to or where to turn. Speaking into this uncertainty, Jesus uses a picture His listeners would have immediately understood—the shepherd and the sheep.

At night, sheep were gathered into a sheepfold with a single opening. The shepherd didn’t simply stand guard nearby. He laid his own body across the entrance. In doing so, he didn’t just protect the gate—he became the gate.

When Jesus says, “I am the gate,” He is revealing Himself as the One who guards, protects, and gives safe passage. He is not a barrier meant to confine us, but a presence that allows us to come in and go out freely—to live securely and find pasture.

This guided Scripture meditation invites you to imagine yourself within this scene and reflect on where you may be longing for safety, clarity, or care. Through several slow readings of John 10:7–10, you will be guided to listen, reflect, respond, and rest—allowing Jesus’s promise of protection and abundant life to settle into your heart.

Lent reminds us that we don’t have to determine what is safe or life-giving on our own. Jesus invites us to trust Him as the gate—the One who leads us into real and lasting life.

Download your FREE Lent Companion Journal Here

I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus 

This journal includes:
• Each week’s Scripture passage
• Reflection prompts from the meditations
• Space to journal, pray, and notice what God is revealing

Here are some additional helpful links:

Learn more about Jodie:
http://www.jodieniznik.com

Follow on Instagram:
@jodieniznik

Follow on Facebook:
@JodieGNiznik

Join the Monday email newsletter for new meditations, HERE

Explore other faith-centered podcasts from LifeAudio:
https://www.lifeaudio.com

Today’s Scripture

John 10:7–10 (NIV)

7 Jesus said,
“Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

If you are helped by these meditations, consider sharing them with a friend or leaving a review. Simple acts like these help create space for more people to slow down and listen.

Thank you for joining me on So Much More.
We really do believe Jesus has so much more to say to us—and this is one way we are creating space to listen.

Today’s meditation music was generously provided by Simon Wester. If you enjoyed the music, make sure to listen to and follow him on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qUycRIHExBVUPIoq6RUkO?si=vQranvhdRW6NNoMNG7Q9dQ

 

Learn more about Every Woman’s Bible today by visiting:
 https://hubs.la/Q041HkRL0

Lent continues by inviting us to consider not only where we are going, but who we can trust along the way.
In this third meditation of our Lenten series, I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus, we slow down with Jesus&rsquo;s words in John 10:7&ndash;10: &ldquo;I am the gate.&rdquo;
Jesus offers this image in response to growing confusion and distrust among the people. Many had been poorly cared for by religious leaders and were unsure who to listen to or where to turn. Speaking into this uncertainty, Jesus uses a picture His listeners would have immediately understood&mdash;the shepherd and the sheep.
At night, sheep were gathered into a sheepfold with a single opening. The shepherd didn&rsquo;t simply stand guard nearby. He laid his own body across the entrance. In doing so, he didn&rsquo;t just protect the gate&mdash;he became the gate.
When Jesus says, &ldquo;I am the gate,&rdquo; He is revealing Himself as the One who guards, protects, and gives safe passage. He is not a barrier meant to confine us, but a presence that allows us to come in and go out freely&mdash;to live securely and find pasture.
This guided Scripture meditation invites you to imagine yourself within this scene and reflect on where you may be longing for safety, clarity, or care. Through several slow readings of John 10:7&ndash;10, you will be guided to listen, reflect, respond, and rest&mdash;allowing Jesus&rsquo;s promise of protection and abundant life to settle into your heart.
Lent reminds us that we don&rsquo;t have to determine what is safe or life-giving on our own. Jesus invites us to trust Him as the gate&mdash;the One who leads us into real and lasting life.
Download your FREE Lent Companion Journal <a href="https://jodieniznik.myflodesk.com/lent2026">Here</a>
I AM: A Lenten Journey with Jesus&nbsp;
This journal includes: &bull; Each week&rsquo;s Scripture passage &bull; Reflection prompts from the meditations &bull; Space to journal, pray, and notice what God is revealing
Here are some additional helpful links:
Learn more about Jodie: <a href="http://www.jodieniznik.com/">http://www.jodieniznik.com</a>
Follow on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jodieniznik/">@jodieniznik</a>
Follow on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JodieGNiznik/">@JodieGNiznik</a>
Join the Monday email newsletter for new meditations, <a href="https://jodieniznik.myflodesk.com/stayintouch">HERE</a>
Explore other faith-centered podcasts from LifeAudio: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/">https://www.lifeaudio.com</a>
Today&rsquo;s Scripture
John 10:7&ndash;10 (NIV)
7 Jesus said, &ldquo;Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.&rdquo;
If you are helped by these meditations, consider sharing them with a friend or leaving a review. Simple acts like these help create space for more people to slow down and listen.
Thank you for joining me on So Much More. We really do believe Jesus has so much more to say to us&mdash;and this is one way we are creating space to listen.
Today&rsquo;s meditation music was generously provided by Simon Wester. If you enjoyed the music, make sure to listen to and follow him on Spotify. <a href="https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qUycRIHExBVUPIoq6RUkO?si=vQranvhdRW6NNoMNG7Q9dQ">https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qUycRIHExBVUPIoq6RUkO?si=vQranvhdRW6NNoMNG7Q9dQ</a>
&nbsp;
Learn more about Every Woman&rsquo;s Bible today by visiting:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">&nbsp;<a href="https://hubs.la/Q041HkRL0">https://hubs.la/Q041HkRL0</a></li>
</ul>

Welcome to So Much More where we're creating space to be with God. This podcast, hosted by Jodie Niznik, introduces you to two types of bible scripture meditation experiences, Lectio Divina and Imaginative Prayer, and gives you space to practice them. It also creates space to hear what others have experienced in their time with God.

Topics Covered:

📖 What Is Lectio Divina and Why Is It a Helpful Christian Practice
📖 What Is Christian Meditation and How Do We Use Scripture to Practice It
📖 Special Church Seasonal Series Including Lent, Easter, and Advent

If you are a Christian looking for ways to pray more or meditate more on Scripture, be sure to visit Jodie's website, https://www.jodieniznik.com/ for more information! 

Welcome to So Much More where we're creating space to be with God. This podcast, hosted by Jodie Niznik, introduces you to two types of bible scripture meditation experiences, Lectio Divina and Imaginative Prayer, and gives you space to practice them. It also creates space to hear what others have experienced in their time with God.
Topics Covered:
📖 What Is Lectio Divina and Why Is It a Helpful Christian Practice 📖 What Is Christian Meditation and How Do We Use Scripture to Practice It 📖 Special Church Seasonal Series Including Lent, Easter, and Advent
If you are a Christian looking for ways to pray more or meditate more on Scripture, be sure to visit Jodie's website, <a href="https://www.jodieniznik.com/">https://www.jodieniznik.com/</a> for more information!

So Much More: Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina)

I AM the Gate | John 10:7-10

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/9f35296a-6d05-4ca6-8792-b3ee013bd6a0/transcript