Jesus Is The Gateway To Truth And Life
Jesus said, “I Am the Good Shepherd.” He also said, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.” (John 10:7)
Our world is full of limitless possibilities and doors or gateways for us to enter. Talk of Jesus needing to be the shepherd and overseer of our souls may seem limiting and even narrow-minded. People resent hearing how they need this, that, or the next thing to improve themselves or their lifestyle. Many folks are not convinced that they need God, or at least not now.
We tend to live in a world where the emphasis is on what people want rather than on what they truly need. Do we all want more than what we need? We may be quick to decide that others have had too much. We see others as addicted to alcohol or drugs. Who can see their own faults and sins?
We live in a time of no-fault claims to sin, hate, and violence. The only people wrong anymore are other people. The only folks straying like sheep are those that aren’t doing it our way or disagreeing with us. Evil grows, but we don’t believe that it is our fault. Somebody else is responsible. Today we hear that the government is guilty of doing everything wrong and never getting anything right.
When Jesus came from heaven, he reached out to people straying away from God like sheep. Sheep need a shepherd because they get lost and in trouble. They try to outrun predators and other sheep. As a result, they tend to be defenseless.
People, unlike sheep, tend to be convinced that they can take care of themselves and are in control of their own lives. Often, they see no danger in sin and see it as extremely enjoyable rather than a curse. Unfortunately, they see no threat. Nothing is dangerous if you refuse to believe it is so.
Jesus came to call people to repentance and to alert them to find the kingdom of God at hand in himself. He invited those willing to allow God to be the shepherd and overseer of their souls. He received rejection but continued to do good.
He committed no sin. Neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return. When he suffered, he did not threaten but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:19-25)
He invites those who recognize they are straying in sin to turn to him for forgiveness and care as the shepherd and overseer of their souls. He wants us to hear his voice as his own sheep. Shepherds in the time of Jesus walked ahead of their sheep, and the sheep followed their shepherd’s voice and no other voice.
A shepherd led his sheep each day to pasture and water. At night he would lead them into a sheepfold for protection. If it was a large sheepfold, a gatekeeper knew each shepherd and opened the gate for his sheep. So, assuredly, Jesus is the gateway for all who want God’s loving care and safety.
