Tuesday 05 August 2014

Background

Although we might be tempted to read this passage as if itstands alone, we should probably understand it in the context ofJesus' conversation with the Pharisees at the end ofchapter 9.

Jesus sets quite a stark contrast between the good shepherd onone side, and thieves and bandits on the other (verse 1). He usesthe image of the sheepfold, which would have been familiar to hislisteners. Many shepherds would have brought their flocks to thesheepfold and would need to call them out in the morning afterstaying the night safely. It is interesting that in this part ofthe chapter, Jesus identifies himself not as the shepherd (verse2), nor yet as the gatekeeper (verse 3) but as the gate itself(verse 7). In this identification - one of the seven "I am" sayingsin John's Gospel, which point to Jesus' identity (the others are John6:35; 8:12; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1) - Jesus asserts himself against thePharisees who have doubted that he has come from God. He begins topoint towards himself as the way, perhaps an anticipation of John14:7. We should be reluctant though to narrow our understandingtoo much and continue to recognise that the shepherds and thegatekeeper are part of the story too. It is not quite so simple asa division into the good and the bad.

Perhaps continuing his challenge to the Pharisees, Jesus speaksof the purpose of his mission as being to bring abundant life. Bycontrast the thief only steals and kills. This can prompt us toquestion the purpose of our mission and the results of our religionand discipleship. We could note that, as the gate, Jesus does notspeak of what he shuts out, but that those who enter will come inand go out and find pasture - it is an image full of movement.Jesus the gate shows us a way to life in all its fullness and callsus to be signs of that life.

To Ponder

• What kind of divisions are there in your life? In theworld?

• What makes for abundant life?

• How do you embody Jesus' mission, individually andtogether?