Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture” (John 10:9). Jesus is the doorway in which we find the way to God. The funny thing about doors is that they serve as endings and beginnings alike. An open door invites us to “come in and go out.” Coming into communion with the saving grace of Christ might mean the end to the way we once lived. It is the door that shuts out unrighteous anger, self loathing, and selfish pride, but it also the door that opens us to gracious possibility, world-changing forgiveness, and abundant and eternal life.
John 10 reminds us that Jesus calls out to us by name, knowing us and loving us even before we are able to put one hoof in front of the other. Following Jesus is a strange and wonderful calling because he leads us where we would not go alone for the good of our soul and for God’s kingdom. Instead of offering my usual, “Will you walk in the way that leads to life,” I would like to ask, “Who would you invite to join you on the journey?” Would your companions look and think like you? It might make the journey easier, but often an easy path eventually leads to a shallow and unfruitful place. Would you walk with an enemy? The journey would be a long one, but it would be a path of reconciliation and healing.
Near my desk I have a wood carving of a labyrinth which reads, “Solvitur Ambulando,” meaning, “It is solved by walking.” Jesus walked upon the earth so that we all might find life. When we walk with Christ and all for whom Jesus died and rose again, IT certainly IS.