I AM The Gate

Good evening from the Panhandle,

Tonight as we look at the next "I AM" saying notice that John’s Gospel features many abrupt and unexpected shifts in and thought the narrative sequence. For example, after the parable of the Sheep and the Shepherd in John 10:5, you would expect Christ Jesus to identify Himself as the shepherd. Instead in verse 7, He says, “I am the gate.” He then says: “All who came before me were thieves and robbers.” It is not until vs.11 that the expected statement, “I am the good shepherd.” is spoken.

In John 10, Christ Jesus warned his followers of shepherds who do not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climb in some other way. Sixteen centuries later, his words stung the heart of a man named Alexander Henderson.

Henderson was born in Criech, Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1583, educated at St. Andrews, and sent to pastor the church at Leuchars. But he wasn’t a kind and godly man. He was a churchman, but not a genuine Christian, and his appointment was unpopular with the people of Leuchars. Prior to his arrival, they shut and bolted the church door to keep him from their pulpit.

Arriving in town, Henderson was determined to claim his parish, and when he couldn’t force open the door, he crawled through a window and thus began his ministry—such as it was—among them.

One day he heard of a group of Christians meeting for Bible study and worship. Their meeting was unauthorized by the state, and Henderson wanted to secretly discover what was being taught. He slipped through the shadows and took a back seat in a darkened corner.

The teacher rose and turned to the day’s Bible lesson, John 10:1–2, and read: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.”

Henderson nearly fell from his chair, for those words brought to his mind his recent undignified scramble through the church window. His eyes were opened, and he recognized his own hypocrisy. In simple faith, he gave himself without reserve to Jesus Christ.

His village ministry immediately assumed a different tone, and for several years he tended his flock as a true shepherd. His reputation grew, and he became a leader in the Presbyterian movement to free Christianity in Scotland from the tyranny of state control.

John 10:7-10

7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

1. Introduction – We find Christ Jesus' next “I AM” statement in John 10:7-10, where He says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door...,” or some translations use the word gate.

When – To see why Christ Jesus made this statement we have to go back a little ways to the beginning of chapter 9. A quick recap: The disciples saw a blind man and asked Christ Jesus who had sinned the man or his parents? Christ Jesus answered back neither; “but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” John 9:3. The regaining of the blind man's sight caused quite a stir with the town folks - Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, "Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?" Others were saying, "This is he," still others were saying, "No, but he is like him." He kept saying, "I am the one." John 9:8-9

And then the Pharisees got involved; They brought to the Pharisees the man who was formerly blind. Now it was a Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. Then the Pharisees also were asking him again how he received his sight. And he said to them, "He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see." John 9:13-15

Christ Jesus then affirmed His deity; Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" Jesus said to him, "You have both seen Him, and He is the one who is talking with you." And he said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him. John 9:35-38 

Who – Speaking to the crowd who had gathered because of this miracle. Christ Jesus said to them, "For judgment I came into this world, so that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may become blind." John 9:39. And once more there were some smug and self-righteous Pharisees listening in. It is their question that prompts Christ Jesus' response about the gate or door. Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, "We are not blind too, are we?" John 9:40

Why – The Pharisees had lost sight of God and in doing so they were leading the people of Israel astray. In their pursuit of worldly things they had lost sight of what was really important. They no longer depended on God for their salvation, but themselves and their works. "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber.” John 10:1.

Because of the Pharisees' refusal to see Christ Jesus for who He is, they had become an obstacle to God's mission of mercy and redemption. This is another reason Christ Jesus referred to them as thieves. 

Who or what are you depending on for a restored relationship with God? Christ Jesus is the only way, the only door and only He can give you life, and give it abundantly.

A gate is an opening in a wall or fence. Without a gate we might not be able to enter the where we want to go. A temporary gate to a pasture through a barb wire fence is called a gap gate. It is 4 or 5 pieces of barb wire attached to a stationary pole and then to a post at the end of the wire that you secure in one or two loops of wire on a stationary post 10 or 12 feet away.

Many times gates are put up for the protection of animals so they can't get out on the rode. I think of the places we have gone on mission trips. In Brazil and Malawi, Africa, people have high fences around their yards with sharp pieces of glass or razor wire around the top to keep the thieves out. The only safe way to enter is through the gate. They must come to the gate, clap their hands or give a greeting to get the gatekeeper's attention, so they can ask to enter. - Nancy Rowland, SEVEN I AM SAYINGS OF JESUS; Digging Deeper, Inc

2. Christ Jesus Is The Gate (vs. 7-8)

Christ Jesus identifies Himself as the gate for the sheep here in verse 7 and in verse 9. Christ Jesus spoke in divine authority when He said, “I am the gate for the sheep.” There is a singleness, an exclusiveness, about His solemn declaration. Contrary to what is taught by others, Christ Jesus is the one entrance by which the sheep can enter the fold and join the flock. There is no other way for them to have access to the full treasures of life. 

 

Christian scholar and author, Roger Fredrikson vividly recalls the brief, intense visit he had backstage with John R. Mott (long time leader of the Yong Men's Christian Association) more than thirty years ago. That amazing world Christian, a visionary layman whom God used in the early part of this century to call a whole generation of students to Christ and missionary service, was now well into his eighties. And although he had just finished pouring out his heart to several thousand students in one of his characteristically passionate missionary addresses, he was fresh and eager. His clear, piercing eyes and great mane of white hair reminded me of a shaggy old lion. 

 

When I asked him about his Christian pilgrimage he spoke simply and tenderly of his “capitulation to Christ,” as he called it, as an undergraduate student at Cornell University and of his continuous growth in the Spirit ever since. It had all been a great adventure, he said. Then he concluded, “After being on hundreds of university campuses in more than eighty countries and having seen all the great religions of the world firsthand, I know now more than ever that Christ towers over all the movements of history and religion. 

Absolutely unique! He stands erect among the fallen, clean among the defiled, Saviour of the world, King of kings and Lord of lords!” What an eloquent way to put it! Christ is the one door of the sheep! 

 

All who come claiming life apart from faith in Christ Jesus cannot make themselves the door of the sheep. Actually they are thieves and robbers — it doesn't matter if they are priest, pastors or other religious leaders. They maybe “religious” politicians whose record doesn't quite match up with the Bible. Or those who are eager for power and recognition, claiming to be servants of “the Messiah.” 

 

There are many who are leading people astray with false promises, selfishly preying on them, dividing and robbing them. But Christ Jesus' sheep have heard and know His voice. Yes there are many, many, confusing, alien voices in the world today. But there is only one gate that leads to heaven, that gate is Christ Jesus. 

 

Why not enter into a personal relationship with God now, by way of Christ Jesus.

3. Life and Death Decision (vs. 9-10)

When Christ Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy,” He was speaking to those who were standing in front of Him at that very moment. They had betrayed their calling to be spiritual leaders in the very way they have thrown out the blind man who has been healed, and in so doing rejected the One who has healed him. Their motives to steal and destroy had been made clear.

The church in every age has had to deal with those who try to crawl over the fence to take over the flock, claiming to be the door. In our day of anxiety and confusion, we confront everything from Eastern mysticism and “thought control,” to Islam, and to false religions who invoke the name of God like Mormonism. There are false prophets it seems at every turn promising life, but in the end bring nothing but death. 

 

But Christ Jesus is different. He came not to promote Himself, but to restore mankind to the kingdom of God. In Christ Jesus there is life abundant. Those who enter by Him “will be saved” (v. 9). This means you are given wholeness as you join the other sheep in the fold. Here you live in liberty, freely going “in and out,” led by the One to whom you belong. But you must enter in through the gate, Christ Jesus.

Conclusion: Have you heard the Shepherd call your name? Christ Jesus will satisfy all your needs, after all He provides “good pasture.” He will share with you the abundance of His own life. This is what the blind man has been given? The salvation he received is both physical and spiritual. It also gave him freedom from rigid legalism, freedom from the fear. The provision of the Shepherd, that made the blind man one of God's flock is available for you right now if you will only ask.