23. Gateway to Adventure
In times past the city gates were a weak defensive position, and well protected. Samson ripped off the gates of a Philistine fortified town so that its residents woke up to feel vulnerable.
When you pass through the school gates today bless them, and all who come through these gates as you do. The Romans often had a representation of the god Janus on their doors and gates to protect them. His head faced both forward and backwards reminding people of comings and goings. One day, like the graduates of your senior class this year, you will walk out through your school gates for the last time. Hallowed be these gates. The founders rejoiced to see them go up and swing on their hinges for the first time. Moses, if he was on campus, might look to see if they complied with his advice,(Deut 6:9) . The spirit of Jesus is at your school gates today, to welcome each person who wants to learn of Him, and the ways of His Father. He explicitly states that He is the gate. Grand mansions and castles have imposing gates, and the gates of hell are indeed fearful. But the gates of our school ministry are living- and nothing shall prevail against them while the ministry remains God centred. Because you express the apostolic ministry of teaching with integrity, there is a presence of Christ in you. You become a gateway to adventure and learning, to a world of healing, revelation, understanding and skill development. And as a gatekeeper you will protect your students from obscene things, cunning lies of the enemy, and harmful practices.
Hallowed be Thy name
Hallowed be Thy school
Hallowed by Thy teacher-you
Hallowed be Thy gate, much loved by YHWH
Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. Judges 16:3
YHWH loves the gates of Zion through which pass the crowds of pilgrims of all nations. Psalms 87:2
This is the gate of the Lord through which the righteous may enter. Psalms 118:20
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.Matthew 7:13
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.John 10:9