A Unique Look at John 10 Offers Fresh Wisdom
Several weeks ago, my Sunday school class looked at John 10:1-10. The teacher began with the clarification that we would look at the passage from an atypical angle. We read the passage and then we discussed the following questions:
- What is the purpose of a gate?
- Do we have gates in the church?
- Are gates beneficial?
All About Gates
I enjoyed our discussion immensely. We considered our attitudes toward others. For example, we talked about how we judge others by their appearance, age, gender, and more. In addition, we pondered our actions when we greet people at church. We discussed how we act kind and welcoming at times yet stop at fully including others.
We even branched out and spoke about our personal gates. Our conversation touched on how time constraints, finances, fears, and scars from previous experiences influence the gates we put in place.
As I drove home that Sunday, I realized I had come face to face with things that hinder me from welcoming others. Holy Spirit pointed out to me that some of my gates effectively provide safety, while others keep me trapped in my own fears.
A Gate or A Shepherd?
I began to wonder what else John 10 revealed. Were there more lessons God wanted to teach me? I also contemplated how our discussion actually fit with the passage we read.
John 10 is a familiar passage. In this chapter, Jesus talks about the Shepherd and his sheep. In the past, I have found John 10 to be a bit tricky to understand. I get lost in the different ways Jesus described Himself. He says He is the gate in verse seven and the Good Shepherd in verse eleven. I have read and reread these verses trying to figure out how Jesus can be both!
As I studied, Holy Spirit revealed three simple truths that helped me with my confusion.
A Basic Sheep Story: Thieves and Robbers vs. the Shepherd
First of all, Jesus begins with telling a basic story (John 10:1-5). In this story, Jesus talks about thieves and robbers, sheep in a sheepfold, a gate, a gatekeeper, and a shepherd. He presents a simple illustration to reveal the differences between the thieves-robbers group and the shepherd.
The thieves and robbers sneak into the sheepfold. They are not given permission to enter, so they find their own way in. They are strangers to the sheep, and the sheep will run from them. Later, in verse ten, we learn they only come to steal, kill, and destroy.
In contrast, the shepherd enters the sheepfold through the gate. The gatekeeper recognizes the shepherd’s authority and allows him in. The sheep recognize the shepherd’s voice and they willingly follow him. In addition, the shepherd calls the sheep by name and leads them out.
In the initial story none of the characters are identified. We often read on past verse five to help us figure out what Jesus is talking about. Holy Spirit pointed out to me I must consider what Jesus had been dealing with before He told His basic story.
The Blind Man vs. the Pharisees
The second truth Holy Spirit revealed is Jesus had just been dealing with the comparison and contrast between a blind man He had healed, and the Pharisees. In John 9, the previous chapter, Jesus heals a man blind from birth on the Sabbath. The Pharisees quickly attempt to discredit Jesus.
The blind man believed Jesus to be from God. Jesus had healed him, and only someone from God could heal a man born blind (John 9:30-33). The Pharisees on the other hand are unwilling to accept Jesus. They certainly don’t believe He came from God. To defend their point of view, they declare they are Moses’ disciples.
“Then Jesus [said], ‘I entered this world to render judgement – to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.’ Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, ‘Are you saying we’re blind?’ ‘If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,’ Jesus replied. ‘But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.’”
John 9:39-41, NLT
After His statement, Jesus moves into His simple story about the thieves, robbers, shepherd, and the sheep. Jesus has revealed He is the Son of Man, the Messiah. However, the Pharisees are unwilling to recognize Him. Jesus tries to help them see the truth; He wants them to move from blindness to sight.
Retelling the Story for Comprehension
The third truth Holy Spirit pointed out is found in verses six and seven. Jesus recognized that the Pharisees were not following His train of thought. “…they did not understand what He was telling them.” (John 10:6) So Jesus tells His story again in a different way to reveal truth they were not understanding.
When Jesus tells the story again, He identifies Himself as the gate, “whoever enters through me will be saved.” (John 10:9). He is the One who allows others into the safety of the sheepfold. He is the One who provides belonging and a home. Without Him, no one is allowed into the sheepfold.
Jesus as the gate, as Messiah, makes sense to me as a follower and believer in the gospel. For the Pharisees, Jesus as the gate, as Messiah, was difficult to grasp. He was not what they expected in any way. Plus, they recognized He was not only saying they were blind, but He was also saying they were thieves and robbers.
Three Conclusions
As I pondered these three truths in light of my questions, and my Sunday school class discussion, I came to three conclusions. First, I realized I want scripture to be straightforward with one simple lesson that I can grasp. However, that’s not how the Biblical writers wrote, nor is that how Jesus told His stories. God’s Word is living, and the Holy Spirit always has something new to reveal when we take the time to study and listen.
Second, Jesus is a complex person with layers just like you or me. Add to this that He is God incarnate and God is beyond our understanding. Consequently, Jesus can be the gate AND the Good Shepherd. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Plus, He is the One who cares for us, leads us, protects us, and provides for us. Different scripture passages reveal the nuances of who Christ is; they provide us with a more complete picture of His character.
Third, when I use gates to filter people in or out of my life, I am acting like a Pharisee, a blind thief. Christ is the gate, but He is more than the One who gives entrance into the Kingdom. He is also the One with the authority to allow others into my sphere of influence. I can’t just sneak around the gate and only deal with people I feel comfortable with. God calls each of us to love those around us, drawing them also to His Kingdom.
I’m not sure my Sunday school teacher had all of this in mind when he planned his lesson. However, God used his unique look at a familiar scripture to send me on a quest for answers to my questions. The Shepherd led me to find wisdom and Holy Spirit was faithful to point out my need. God is faithful, God is good.
Sheep Herd Photo by Immo Wegmann on Unsplash
