THROUGHOUT history, man has always pondered how he may enter the gate of heaven. In his search for answers to this question, man has delved into the realms of philosophy, ethics, various religions, science, arts, and every other facet of human knowledge and wisdom.
In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus provides a definite answer to this very important question. To our reception of the answer to this question hangs the eternal destiny of our souls. Jesus declares, “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved…” (John 10:9). The book of Acts (Chapter 4, Verse 12) confirms this in that: “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by whom we must be saved.”
This, I believe, is the core teaching of the Christian faith. Denominations and church groups may not always agree on their interpretations of various doctrines, but the truth remains: “Only through Jesus – by a living faith in the sacrificial death and resurrection of the Son of God – can one ever enter the kingdom of God.”
Jesus, himself, is the gate to eternal life. All others who claim to be saviors are counterfeit messiahs, and all of their teachings on the contrary are teachings of “thieves and bandits.”
As believers, we are like sheep being led heavenward by Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Yes, we are weak, but in Him we are strong. We sometimes get lost, but he finds us and joyfully carries us back home on his shoulders. We get wounded but he binds and heals our wounds. We hunger and thirst along the way, but he leads us to verdant grass and springs of living water. We are threatened and attacked by the enemy, but our Good Shepherd valiantly defends and protects us.
Our Good Shepherd does all of these because he loves us with a love that is beyond compare. As a proof, he even laid down his life for us on the cross, so that by faith and genuine repentance, we may be forgiven of our sins and be counted worthy to enter the joys of heaven.
As we journey to our eternal home, the Good Shepherd wants us to become obedient sheep. We must listen to his voice and do what he tells us, for we can always trust that deep in his heart is only what is best for us.