Contents
Introduction
In the past two Sundays, we reflected on communion and fearlessness as the fruits of resurrection. This Third Sunday presents another fruit – repentance. Of what use is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection when and if a person cannot repent of his or her ungodly behaviours, otherwise known as sin? At the end of their discussion to the men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem (cf. Acts 2:14–35), the apostles said to them, “therefore, let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). On hearing these touching words, Luke says they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “brothers, what should we do?” (Acts 2:37). Immediately, Peter retorted “repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). At the end of his address, Luke specifies that about three thousand people were added to the number of believers. This means that the proclamation in the name of Jesus produced three thousand repentant souls. Has the resurrection of Jesus effected any change in us? Unless a sinner repents, he or she cannot come to the good shepherd.
I am the gate…
“So again Jesus said to them, Amen Amen, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep (John 10:7). Seeing their inability to understand the metaphor of sheep, sheepfold, gatekeeper, stranger, entering through the door and jumping into the sheepfold, Jesus explicitly told the Pharisees that he was referring to himself. He is the door or the gate to the sheep and whoever desires to visit the sheep must pass through him, and whoever passes through another avenue is a thief (Greek: kleptēs) and a robber (Greek: lēstēs). What is the difference between thief and robber as used in this context? Judging from the context, we can conclude that while thief refers to the idea of not passing through the door to the sheepfold, robber refers to the idea of stealing especially, the idea of using violence to take what does not belong to a person. Therefore, while a thief is one who forces himself or herself into another’s place, what he or she does when he or she enters is robbery. That is, taking by force another person’s property. This is why Jesus says whoever “does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a robber/bandit” (Joh 10:1). This is further explained by Jesus’ words “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (Joh 10:10a).
Conclusion
The only reason for Jesus’ coming is for the sheep to have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10b). Abundant life means taking away misery, sorrow, and every negativity. Abundant life is giving people joy, progress, good health, understanding, harmony, fear of God and fellowship with one another. Communion and the boldness to proclaim the Gospel and bear witness to the resurrected Christ cannot be achieved without repentance. The inability to repent could be paralleled to being a thief and stealing. Jesus is the only true gate that leads to the sheep. And we must strive to enter by this gate. Entering through this gate means embracing Jesus the only good shepherd. The refusal to do so is to fall prey to the false prophets who come to steal and destroy. This is the month of May. May God save you from the ungodly and lead you to the true gate. May God bless and protect you as he has always done even during this month of May. Shalom!
FOR DETAILS, GET YOUR OWN COPIES OF THE BOOK “THE WORD OF LIFE:
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS” (vols. I‑II-III)!! The reflection for the 4th Sunday of Pascha is found in The Word of Life, vol. I, pages 249–254. Happy reading!
For details on how to get it, contact the author on this link: https://m.me/uchennabiblia?fbclid=IwAR2yeg4a6sDGBp9QGkIvKj6FSADumMokN6lshdE0zuo-JHs6qOmlhA7jyHo
or email me at: postmaster@uchennabiblia.com
or simply send an SMS on 08116100926, and I will get back to you.
