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Therefore, Jesus said again: “I tell you this truth: I am the Gate of the Sheep.”1
| 1 | I am the Gate of the Sheep: Or, door. [John 14:6] Some of the language that follows echoes or alludes to Isaiah 49:8-12. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
We choose John 10:7 as the theme verse of chapter ten – A Unifying Shepherd. Jesus the Nazarene compares his Jewish disciples to sheep who must enter through him as the Door or Gate. [1-6] The sheep listen to the voice of the Master, who is also their Shepherd. He says, “I am the Door and the Good Shepherd.” [7-15] As Shepherd Christ is prepared to lay down his soul in behalf of the flock. The Nazarene says that he has “other sheep” which do not naturally belong to this sheepfold. [16-18] Our Master’s words cause a division among the Jews and some say he is demonized or crazy. [19-21]
The Nazarene teaches that he is at perfect unity with his Father in caring for the sheep. [22-30] It is this remark that causes the accusing Jewish hierarchy to try and stone Jesus. [31-39] They have accused him of claiming to be a god. He uses Psalm 82:6 where Jehovah calls human judges “gods” so why must they object if he calls himself, “I am a son of The God.” As a result of is appearance at the Jewish festival many more begin to believe in him. [40-42]
Abba our Father bless the sheep who listen and follow the Shepherd.
[8 December 2002]
These shepherds enter into the fold and go out by the same door as the sheep. Christ is that door; the Door of the sheep, the one door for all, both sheep and shepherds. There is no other way in, for “there is no other name, under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved” [Ac 4:12].
