Gate

“Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep." (John 10:7 TNIV)

We have multiple doors at the church that will not open unless you have a keycard, code, someone from the office lets you in, or if someone is at the door itself.  In many ways, we have done this for safety reasons.  We have a large expanse of property and we recognize that it would be unsafe to just let anyone in without knowing why they are here.  Some people don't like this - we are a church after all.  

But you know, I don't just let anyone in my house.  I don't drive downtown, park the car, and just leave the door open for anyone to jump in.  I don't tweet the pin to my ATM card or post my social security number on Facebook for anyone to use it.  

Why not?

1. Because not everyone can be trusted.
2. Not everyone is has the right motives.
3. Because I believe I am guarding those whom I love, who expect me to protect their livelihood. 

The metaphor of the Gate for Jesus could be seen in a number of ways.  In the first century, it was a common idea that access to heaven from this world was entered through a gate of sorts.  Likewise, Jesus could be understood as a shepherd who was responsible for making sure the sheep were cared for both in the pen and outside of it. The idea could be tied to a sort of us and them mentality.   What is interesting is that following John 10:1-2 "“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep," Jesus identifies himself as the Gate.  In other words, Jesus is the Gate by which all the sheep enter and exit. The Gate grants access to sheep and shepherds, but it also keeps out those who would seek to hurt the sheep and the shepherds, namely thieves and robbers.  

Jesus says that as the Gate, He can assure that those who enter will be safe or protected. They will be given access to both the safety of the pen (inside) and the fullness of pasture (outside).  In contrast to the thieves who come to kill, steal, and destroy, the Gate has come that they might have life and have it in full abundance.  

Ok, so what's your point? (As my 10 year old son would say, before I wail on him unmercifully)

Jesus is the Gate to abundant  life, but abundant life is not what you think.   For some, abundant life is equal to eternal life which is for many Heaven. Yet, Jesus speaks nothing of Heaven here.  He doesn't talk about abundant life as something in the future. Instead, he states an abundant life that will be experienced now.  It is not my intention to discredit the idea of Heaven or the afterlife, because the Scriptures teach of it and call us to expect it.  However, this passage doesn't seem to point toward that.  Instead, Jesus says I have come that you might have "perisson" or abundant/overflowing life.  More importantly, Jesus doesn't say that in time you might experience abundant life.  He doesn't speak of a process or checklist that will grant you this abundant life. He promises that those who enter will receive it and that they will be "zosesthai" or safe to enjoy it.  Nothing and no one can take it away from them. 

But not everyone gets in to the pen, only those who the Gate permits.  And if you think you can,  Jesus has a name for you.  

Soli Deo Gloria