November 1, 2015: I Am the Gate – Michael Hidalgo

In the preceding interaction (Jn 9) Jesus uses another of his “I am” statements, saying, “While I’m in the world I am the light of the world.” Jesus just metaphorically describes himself saying he is “light,” and that true sight happens through him. Now he switches metaphors to describe yet another aspect of himself, “I am the Gate.” In both of these metaphors Jesus describes himself as the medium to right relationship with the world (seeing clearly, making good judgments) and to God (the way the shepherd comes in). There is something about his way (I am the way, the truth…) that is truly God’s way of understanding the world and that truly helps us judge when God is moving in the world as opposed to a “robber.” 

Something about their way is the calling card of God v. worldly powers. 

There were many ways that people were claiming God would enter and interact with world (Roman Caesars, Messianic expectations etc…), but God, as Jesus is displaying, uses a different method. Instead of coercion and conniving, he comes right through the front door (the gate) and shows himself for who he is. There is humility and transparency built into God’s methods. Which raises the question: If God does things in a transparent way, then why doesn’t it seem more clear when it is God working? So, do the powers around us use the gate or some other method (politics, police brutality—crazy when we actually see videos,…)? What is there around us that seeks to make itself transparent? What is your method of choice? How do we determine God’s presence?