SERMON NOTES – FOR INDIVIDUAL
AND GROUP REFLECTION – I AM THE
GATE
At first sight it is odd that Jesus should call
himself a gate, an inanimate object. But there
are powerful interpretations. What is a gate
for? It forms a barrier between one situation
and another, like “danger” and “safety”. Often
a gate protects those within; in all cases it bars
those outside. And a gate can be opened only
by someone with authority to do so, with a key
or latch – or in wartime by an attack.
There are three kinds of gate (or door) that we
need to be aware of as Christians. Their gates,
our gates and his gates. Their gates are Satan’s
gates, the gates of hell. Our gates are the
spiritual barriers we choose to open or keep
shut within ourselves. And his gates are Jesus
himself and the gates of heaven. We must be
aware of all three if we are to truly enter God’s
place of safety that Jesus has prepared for us.
Their gates. Jesus said to Peter “I will build
my church and the Gates of Hades (Hell) will
not overcome it”. But they will try; Satan is
constantly attacking the church, be it with
persecution, division or sickness of ministers.
But if we are faithful the church will stand.
Satan the thief, the liar, the murderer aims not
just to destroy the church but entice people
away from the life that Jesus offers, to the
eternal torment of separation from God.
Indeed those gates of hell are the way of death.
Satan has the authority to close the gates of
hell on people if they die not trusting in Jesus
and are judged accordingly. But as long as life
lasts, he may not close them. On the cross,
Jesus stormed the gates of hell and “set the
captives free” who were living under the fear
of death. People can exit from the road to hell
while life lasts. Jesus says we have a choice
between a wide gate of hell that leads to
destruction and the narrow gate, the gate of
heaven, that leads to life. We can enter that
gate only through Jesus.
But we also need to open our doors, the doors
over which we have authority, in the right
way. This means not opening up to the
temptation to sin that is always crouching at
the door. When we do, we open ourselves to
sin and set ourselves on the way to the broad
gate of destruction. There is a better choice we
can make, which is to open the door of our
heart, over which we have authority, to the
Lord Jesus who is knocking at that door. We
are free to choose, whether to do so and enjoy
wonderful fellowship with him. And later in
our Christian life, we will have other doors,
doors of opportunity in ministry that God
leaves us the authority to open.
Finally there are his gates, the gates that Jesus
has the authority to open or shut. That’s why
he calls himself the gate of the sheep. As the
gate, he opens to all those putting their trust in
him and closes behind to protect them.
Through him we come before a holy God,
accepted and not condemned. We have passed
the gate of judgement with the only
exoneration possible for our sins – “I am
entering through Jesus”. With freedom to
enjoy an eternity in his presence.
Jesus is the only gate through whom people
can be saved. Salvation comes not through the
gods of Mohammed, or Buddha or of
Hinduism. They are broad gates that lead to
death. Nor is Jesus’ gate always open. It is
clear that after death, a person no longer has
scope to repent and enter heaven. And even
some who consider themselves Christians
might find the gate barred, as Jesus says ‘I
don’t know you or where you come from.’ It’s
a warning not to be careless with the precious
gift of salvation we have been given.
Nowadays people like to be uncommitted,
tolerant, following feelings, not obliged to
choose. But Jesus, the gate, doesn’t allow that.
We all have one choice. We can pass through a
narrow gate or a broad gate. The broad gate is
alluring. But Jesus and his broken body on the
cross is the narrow gate, the gate to the sheep
pen where we are safe, the gate that leads to
freedom, the gate to abundant life here on
earth and eternal joy in heaven. Let us enter!
Points for reflection and discussion:
How do you feel about there being only two
options in life?
Do you recognise the battle that is underway
to entice you to open your doors?
If Jesus is the gate what does it mean
practically for us to be his sheep?