John 10:1-9

The Third Verse 

The Verse Itself

• Each of these statements are analogical

• The “Sheep” are those who make themselves subject to the shepherd

  • “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15

    • CCC 1900 The duty of obedience requires all to give due honor to authority and to treat those who are charged to exercise it with respect, and, insofar as it is deserved, with gratitude and good-will.

      • Pope St. Clement of Rome provides the Church's most ancient prayer for political authorities:18 "Grant to them, Lord, health, peace, concord, and stability, so that they may exercise without offense the sovereignty that you have given them. Master, heavenly King of the ages, you give glory, honor, and power over the things of earth to the sons of men. Direct, Lord, their counsel, following what is pleasing and acceptable in your sight, so that by exercising with devotion and in peace and gentleness the power that you have given to them, they may find favor with you."19

• And thus are those who love Him

• Implication: Make Christ the informing principle of your life

• They are capable of entering through the gate, because the shepherd knows them

• Jesus distinguished between those that “destroy” and Himself who “came to give life”

  • “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.- Matthew 7:14

    • Those who attempt to enter the sheepfold without Christ do not seek the good of the sheep 

  • Matthew 7:15-20 continues “beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits.”

    • Intent comes from the heart and what is the heart doing? What do we seek?

Additional Background

• Psalm 118:19-20

  • The path of Jesus is also our path, where He goes we must also go

• Isaiah 60:11

  • There is always an opportunity to do the will of God which is righteousness and love beyond that since His grace is always sufficient

    • 2 Corinthians 12:9

    • Hebrews 12:4

• The Davidic Kingdom era used gates around cities, even in the time of Jesus there were several gates some called “needles” through which camels could be taught to walk on their knees to get through