Jesus described himself as the door leading to the flock of God. There is no way to fellowship with the redeemed in the church apart from Christ. Whoever tries to make one religious without Christ resembles a thief who confuses the minds of God’s sheep with errors. The Holy Spirit does not lead us by diverging paths but into the narrow gate that is Jesus. Anyone who does not enter thereby, nor eat his flesh, nor drink his blood, has no right to serve God’s children. We ourselves need to die to our complacency and enter Christ’s fold; then we become part of his flock.
All the eminent people who appeared before or after Christ and did not live in his Holy Spirit, are thieves who delude. Jesus says that all philosophers and ideologists and national leaders are robbers, if they do not believe in him and submit to him; they corrupt the crowds with their teaching and habits. But true prophets who abide in Christ’s Spirit and pre-dated him were broken-hearted, coming to God through the door. Jesus prepared them and sent them for faithful service in his flock and fold.
No one can enter the fold of God unless he dies to himself and clings to Jesus to save him. Jesus makes his obedient sheep kings and priests. The sincere pastor goes out of the door into the world appealing to men to be saved. Then he returns with them into the body of Christ, for them to abide in him and he in them. Such pastors do not regard themselves as superior to the sheep, for they all enter into Christ. Whoever abides in humility, finds in his Lord the fullness of power and knowledge. The humble heart finds in Jesus an unfailing pasture.
Four times Jesus warns his flock against the scribes and priests, who seek their own glory and corrupt others.
At the same time Christ called everyone to himself, to give true life of goodness and peace, and make him a source of blessing to others. Whoever comes to Christ, becomes a spring of virtues flowing to others. Shepherds do not live for themselves, but sacrifice their days and lives for the flock. The Spirit of God does not give us the heavenly life just for our personal salvation, but appoints us servants and pastors to deny ourselves and love others. With the increase of love there is an increase of the overflow. Nothing is lovelier than service for the Lord’s sake! This is meant by the expression, "That they might have life more abundantly!"