Jesus is the only way and he is the way. He offers the imagery of a gatekeeper and a shepherd, which are connected.
First Jesus is the gatekeeper. He literally stands as a gate offering entrance to the sheep and even counting them. A first century shepherding team would include a “gatekeeper”. This person’s responsibility involved standing in as a literal gate, counting the sheep and ascertaining that only the sheep were granted entrance. If you are a sheep, you want to be sure that you have a strong gate and a vigilant gatekeeper. It is because of the nature and character of the Gatekeeper, that the sheep can rest with peace. However, because of the gatekeeper’s nature, the sheep can only enter through him. In other words, there is no way to enjoy the rest and peace of the God, but through his Son.
Secondly, Jesus is the good shepherd. Thus, he not only offers entrance, he also offers guidance and protection. We follow him knowing that he desires pour over us his blessing. Contrary to the serpents lie in the garden (Genesis 3), God does have our best interests in mind. This is manifested in His instruction (torah). The helping hand of the serpent after the results of the fall was clearly absent; but God — the good shepherd — remained faithful and redemptive. Jesus volitional self-offering is the evidence he gave in support of his trustworthiness.
When we draw these together we find that it is truly His way or No way. While this kind of statement is not favored in our post-modern world, it does not make it any less true. Jesus was clear, he is the one who determines the right path, and such a path exists. We must respond by following him and entering through Him.
In his voluntary obedience to the Father, Jesus proved his claim as the “good shepherd”, which is why we can trust Him. Jesus is not leading us down a path of destruction, but abundance. Now, we like the message of abundance. We like to think of all the blessings that Jesus wants to offer. However, in our culture, this message often does not include Jesus’ insistence that he is the only way and one true door. It is good to highlight the benevolence of Jesus, but this inclusiveness must never overshadow his exclusive message. By referring to himself as the door, Jesus excludes every other door, labeling them invalid.
In the same way, by indicating that he is the “good shepherd” Jesus indicates the existence of bad shepherds. Jesus does not want to give “your best life” to you, rather he wants to give “his best life” for you. We trust Jesus, not because of what he can do for us, but because of what he has done for us. Thus, Jesus is teaching his disciples that He is the only way, He is the best way, and though not all will enter, His way is for everyone.
This is also a message that reaches into the identity and mission of the church. We are the presence of Christ in this world. Christ’s church should be the very presence of Christ in this world, we must be Christ in culture.
This means that we, like the shepherd must be good. We must care for our context and desire what is best for them. This may include a word of rebuke at times, or a hand of compassion on other occasions.
Furthermore, the Christian Church is the gate keeper of the kingdom (so long as Christ is in her). There is no room for the lone wolf in God’s kingdom, we are to be part of the body of Christ. This may shed some light on the post-resurrection words of Christ in his upper room meeting with the disciples…
“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld”.
While we affirm that it is only Christ who forgives and redeems, we also must realize that Christ has chosen to manifest himself in and through his church. His Spirit dwells in his people. Thus, the church must first acknowledge that he is the only door and trust that he is our good shepherd, if we are to fulfill our task of manifesting Christ to the world. In other words, the world will not go through the door if they cannot see the door, and they will not trust the good shepherd if they do not meet the good shepherd in us.
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