John 10:1-18 provides us with the image of Jesus as the good shepherd. Some of the most popular pictures of Jesus are those that portray him as a shepherd; leading a flock of sheep; caring for the sick; and/or carrying a sheep. This is a wonderful image of our Lord. However, it is not the only image. In John 10 there is another image that is just as important and must be balanced with the caring shepherd image.
There is a tendency to read John 10 as if Jesus is only the good shepherd. But, there is more. Jesus is also the image of the gate. The two “I am” statements of John 10 present the reader with two Christological images that must be held together and not separated. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises to God’s people. Yet Jesus is more than the good shepherd for whom Israel waits (Ezekiel 34), because he is also the gate for the sheep. Jesus is the way to life (the gate), and he leads the way to life (the good shepherd). While these are closely related, they are not the same thing. Jesus is the way to life because he is himself life (John 10:10; John 14:6). Jesus leads the way to the life because he lays down his own life (John 10:11; John 10:14-15).
The distortion of this text is easily seen in those who would claim there are multiple gates to God. I beg to differ and so does the Bible. The gateway and shepherd of God is Jesus Christ. Who is Jesus? He is the Son of God who lays down His life for His sheep. He is not only an exceptional shepherd, He is the gate for the sheep to enter the fold. In other words, “You ain’t gettin’ in, if you don’t know Jesus!”
We should spend some time in reflection of these verses and their meanings in our lives.