For better or worse, gates have become a common sight in our communities. When I visit people in Retirement or Nursing Homes, the first person I come across is the gatekeeper in his little shack. The window opens and, pastor or not, the security personnel wants to know who I am, who I intend to visit and if I have an appointment. The same thing happens routinely in certain country clubs, hospitals, and high profile campuses. We also literally have “gated” communities, a privilege of affluent people seeking protection from thieves, peddlers, or unwanted visitors. When you think about it, the gatekeepers in our country must number in the hundreds of thousands of employees: from New Jersey to California, from North Dakota to Louisiana. They are everywhere, protecting people from unwelcomed intruders!
When Jesus used this metaphor a few years back, he only had sheep in mind. The gate he spoke about was a simple opening to a pasture, protecting vulnerable animals from wild beasts or human thieves. The gates we talk about in the 21st century, they are a tiny bit more advanced: equipped with surveillance cameras, audio systems and, no doubt, a direct line to the local police. For that reason, I have always struggled with this metaphor. I mean, what is Jesus suggesting here? “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved!” That may sound good to those inside, but how about those on the outside? A gate, after all, is supposed to keep certain people out, people who don’t belong. The problem is, as a church we like to say that everybody belongs, that the door you enter to worship in this church is a door which is open to absolutely everyone. In fact, many churches have a sign with that message on their front lawn: “All are welcome.” And while we don’t have such a sign on our property – and I don’t suggest that we need one – we share the sentiment and the spirit. Everybody is welcome at St. Peter’s! And now Jesus says, “I am the gate! You need to come through me.” So, who is he keeping out? And how does this metaphor make sense for a welcoming church like ours?
To understand this speech and the metaphor, we must look carefully at the context. This metaphor is about sheep recognizing their shepherd and not falling for false gatekeepers. Today, the term “shepherd” has clear religious connotations. The title “pastor,” borrowed from the Latin language, means shepherd. Congregations are sometimes referred to as the pastor’s “flock.” So, is this about “false pastors”? Well, maybe. Watch out! But it’s bigger than that, for sure. Back in biblical times, the shepherd metaphor was not specifically reserved for priests; in fact, more often it was used for kings and political leaders, which I think all political leaders everywhere, and especially those who adhere to the Christian faith, should pay attention to. They are asked to be shepherds of the people, according to the Word of God. To give you but one example, the prophet Ezekiel received this word from God: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, ‘Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?’”
Fast-forward a few hundred years from Ezekiel. There were plenty of people in 1st century Judah who promised to restore that country to its original, wonderful, beautiful, marvelous state, rivaling the good old times – the times of King David, when Israel was “Somebody” in the world… They promised to be strong leaders and good shepherds.
Fast forward another two thousand years and you find that “gatekeeping” has become one of the most important political issues in our world. From the Brexit vote, to the US elections, to today’s elections in France: this has been one of the top issues in all these elections: who do we let in? Who do we keep out? How can we be safe? These questions and the concerns they respond to are real. It seems that gatekeeping is one of the most politically charged and most important topics of our times.
Now read Jesus words again. “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” So, Jesus was setting himself apart from other gate keepers in a crowded field of Messiah’s in First Century Judah. And while I would caution against using any of these passages as fodder for your own political views on immigration and such, I will say that, indirectly, what Jesus is saying here is relevant beyond mere spiritual talk. How is it relevant in this muddy climate of opposing visions of our country, in this ongoing debate of who we are, of who should be allowed in and who should be kept out in these contentious times? It is relevant at least in this sense: As people compete for our hearts, it is a real task to discern which of these voices are authentic and good and which of them are over-promising or over-simplifying. I invite you to listen. Listening is good! In fact, Jesus asks us to listen carefully, right?
When Jesus says, “I am the gate,” he is saying this: “If you are a Christian, if you believe in me and belong to me, if you share my values and indeed, my flesh and blood, I will be your spiritual gatekeeper. You will hear my voice and I will help you discern the confusing promises of this world. When people knock on the door of your soul who are phony and fake, who want to seduce you morally, who pretend to be spiritual but are only pretenders, I will let you know. When people abandon my commandments and the values of the kingdom of God, when they try to get access to the sanctuary of your soul by pretending to be a savior, remember my voice as it comes to you in the gospels. I am your gatekeeper! Listening to me will safe you!
And how does this process of spiritual discernment work again? According to the gospel of John, the only gospel that focuses on Jesus as the good shepherd, it works, yes, I hate to repeat myself, through a discipline of listening. Our Stephen Ministers, and as you know, we are commissioning three new Stephen Ministers today, they are trained to listen to people, to build bridges of understanding and compassion. The listening that Jesus refers to here in John 10 is about listening to Christ. You may ask: how can one hear Christ’s voice and become intimately familiar with it? Christ isn’t advertising himself like Farmer’s Insurance! Christ will not pop up on your computer screen while you are searching for shoes on Amazon. There is only one way: take some time out of your busy day, take perhaps one saying of Jesus every day and listen to the voice of the shepherd. Get to know him, for he is the gatekeeper of your soul.
Then go back to your politics and your daily moral choices and attempt to live accordingly. The irony of this passage is this: neither the church, nor haven are gated communities. Or are they? The only requirement to get through is that you recognize one familiar voice – that of our loving, caring, life-giving shepherd. So, sharpen your ears! It will be good for you. Amen.