Jesus is the Gate. He was using a common image to explain a spiritual reality. His first-century listeners would have been knowledgeable about sheep and shepherds. Those of us in the twenty-first century are not as familiar with a sheepfold and need more information.
A first-century sheepfold was a rock wall enclosure of loosely stacked stones. It protected against thieves, wolves, and other predators. These structures did not always have a gate. Many times, the shepherd himself would sleep across the opening to protect the sheep from harm. As the sheep entered the fold in the evening, the shepherd would inspect each one for any problems. Occasionally, multiple flocks would be in the sheepfold. In the morning, each shepherd would call his sheep out, and only his flock would exit and follow him because they knew his voice.
Characteristics of a Gate
Jesus was trying to explain spiritual truths to the Jewish leadership using the metaphor of a shepherd and a sheepfold. John 10: 6 Those who heard Jesus use this illustration didn’t understand what he meant, 7 so he explained it to them: “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the true sheep did not listen to them. 9 Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. [1]
As the Gate, Jesus protected the sheep. Any predator who wanted to harm the sheep had to face Jesus first. Thus, thieves could not go through the gate but were forced to climb over the wall. Jesus also showed compassion to the sheep as they entered the gate. The narrow opening forced the sheep to enter one by one, allowing the shepherd to check for injuries or disease.
Salvation is Only Through Jesus
The gate also acted as a dividing line; either you are in or you are out. This forces a decision. When we hear the Word of Jesus, we can accept it as truth and obey, or we can choose not to. We live in a world that promotes tolerance at the expense of truth. Later, Jesus will ask the Father that all believers will follow the truth. John 17: 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They do not belong to this world any more than I do. 17 Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.[2]
The only way to eternal life is through Jesus, the Gate. Early in His ministry, Jesus explained this to Nicodemus. It still holds true for us today. John 3: 16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life… 18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.[3]
Jesus is the Gate, and as such, can save us, believers, for eternity. This salvation begins the moment we believe, and Jesus shows us good pastures even in this corrupt world. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/jesus-said-i-am-the-gate
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.