In his sermon Pastor Steve started by pointing out something interesting. Last week the Gospel lesson was the Emmaus story, which was the congregation's name for which he served for many years in Oregon. This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday, He was a Pastor developer for a church in Marshfield, Wisconsin called Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Of course, the I am the Good Shepherd, is part of John's I am texts. They are:
I am the light of the world - John 8:12 9:5
I am the gate - John 10:7
I am the good shepherd - John 10:11-14.
I am the resurrection and the life - John 11:25
I am the way, the truth and the life - John 14:6
I am the true vine - John 15:1-5
In today's Gospel is the third of Jesus' I am statements, the I am the gate, and stops just short of the fourth I am
In John 10:7, Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep." This statement is part of that longer passage in which Jesus describes himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.
When Jesus says he is the gate for the sheep, he may be using this metaphor to explain his role as the only way to salvation. In ancient times, shepherds would often keep their sheep in a pen made of stone or wood with only one entrance, which was guarded by the shepherd. The shepherd would lie down in the entrance to protect the sheep from predators and prevent them from wandering off. In this way, the shepherd served as a gate or door for the sheep.
Likewise, Jesus may be saying that he is the only way to enter into salvation and find safety and protection from spiritual predators. He is the gatekeeper who will only allow the true sheep to enter and find rest and security. In other words, Jesus is the only way to have a relationship with God and receive eternal life.
So, when Jesus says he is the gate, many feel he is emphasizing his exclusivity as the only way to the Father. He is the means through which we can come to God and receive the abundant life he offers. Every time that Jesus is understood to be making a claim of exclusivity, however, I find that is worth a deeper exploration.
Lutherans trust only God's grace saves. When exclusivity around certain beliefs about the attributes of God are emphasized, it is troubling. Beliefs can put up barriers to the ways we understand one another if we don't agree. I heard in last year's Synod Assembly The Sutras; Discourse on a Better Way to Catch a Snake. This sutra teaches something valuable that has more bearing on my spiritual life. At this moment I want to learn about how to prepare to accept, or let go of, spiritual teachings.
Pastor Steve preached about how the "gatekeeper" language does not fit with the inclusive language we like to use now in the church. Pastor Steve stressed the promise of abundant life. He also stressed Jesus walking along side of us,
Pastor Steve preached on the 23rd Psalm, which we chanted together today. He particularly addressed Shirley, a beloved member who is on all of our minds since the announcement that her breast cancer has metastasized. He talked about her current walk through the valley of the shadow of death. He preached that goodness and mercy would follow her and, like a man Pastor Steve also referenced in his sermon, both goodness and mercy, at that critical moment, would together whisper the word "gotcha" and she would dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Many of us recognize the voice of Jesus in that word "gotcha". There may be others who recognize different words. A different voice may speak those different words. Yes, the protection at the gate may come from another, but we trust there is a "gotcha" for everyone as we all come to eventually dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
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