January 14, 2008 John 10:1

01/14/2008

John 10:1 (HCSB)

¹“I assure you: Anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep pen by the door but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.”

John 10:7 - 9 (HCSB)

⁷So Jesus said again, “I assure you: I am the door of the sheep. ⁸All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. ⁹I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.

A popular belief today is that “all roads lead to Heaven.” This idea of tolerance (in the religious world) suggests that all philosophical ideas and religious creeds are valid and should be respected. In other words, don’t try to convert anyone. Ironically, many who propose such religious tolerance will quote Jesus in justifying their point. However, if one were to carefully read all the words of Jesus, you get quite the opposite impression.

Jesus continually challenged the religious leaders for their folly. If Jesus were tolerant, He would not have confronted them. Moreover, on more than one occasion, Jesus specifically says there is only one way to Heaven.

In the verses above, Jesus uses the metaphor of sheep. He depicts Himself as both the Gate and the Good Shepherd. He is quite clear that those who attempt to gain entrance to Heaven other than through the Gate (Himself) are thieves – that is someone trying to gain something by illegitimate means.

Jesus further states that anyone who “came before” Him were thieves and liars. That is, other men had come claiming to be the Messiah, but of course were liars. Although Jesus was speaking to a specific audience, I believe it is acceptable to infer that all those who came after Jesus were/are liars as well. If Jesus were not the only one in human existence who could save us, then He could not have used exclusive language (i.e. “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6) .

Since there is only one way to Heaven, if we are tolerant of other’s religious views, then we are guilty of a greater sin: that is, failing to point out their misunderstanding and leading them to the saving grace of Jesus. Could you sit outside a burning house knowing there was a child inside that would be consumed if you did nothing? Could you sit there with clear conscience and say “It’s his choice to stay.”?

If you could not sit and watch someone perish in this life without trying to help, how could you possibly sit and watch people perish eternally without trying to help. If we really believe in the saving grace of Jesus, then we are compelled to be intolerant.

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