The Gate

Shepherd and Sheepgate

Pastors and People

Images of Care

Shepherd

responsible for every aspect of a sheep’s well-being, not to mention, profitability:

overnight protection

wolves, jackals

thieves

the occasional lion.

leading

out to pasture

keeping them safe (as above)

return to the pen.

Repeat

Gate

vv 1-6

The shepherd comes to the town’s common pen

the gatekeeper recognizes him & opens,

the sheep recognize him & follow.

vv 7-10

I am the gate

- Jesus’ hearers would have understood immediately:

When overnighting in the pasture

there was another pen

a circular stone wall

with a gap about 5 - 51/2’ wide.

The shepherd (or his son or servant) would lie down to sleep across the gap,

putting himself on the line between predators or thieves and the sheep.

He literally was the gate.

The gate

However, the purpose of the gate is twofold: It protects the sheep from those death-dealing forces described above. It also provides access for the sheep to the pasture (10:9). (Commentary on John 10:1-10 Laura Holmes* )

Its purpose is both life-saving and life-giving.

the only legitimate entry I AM the Way, Truth and Life.

The Pastor Today

Same mission

different needs and methods.

Jesus was looking to differentiate between himself & the political/religious leaders of his day,

those whose eyes worked

but who couldn’t see the evidence before their eyes;

the healing of a man born blind;

and so rejected the Messiah.

Religious leaders today, most notably, Pope Leo, are proclaiming a similar message:

That it is through real care for people

and not through bombs and bombast,

the we may attain a more just, verdant and peaceful world.

May we, who are religious leaders on a smaller stage, learn more deeply and practise more ardently, the way of Jesus’ leadership.

*https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/fourth-sunday-of-easter/commentary-on-john-101-10-7