When you think of Christianity, do you think of it more in terms of fences or gates?
A fence exists for two reasons: To keep something in and/or to keep something else out. It is protective. We have small dog that we don’t want to escape, so we build a fence with small enough spaces between the pickets so that it cannot slip through. Or we have a garden full of plants enticing to deer, so we build a fence higher than they can jump.
Fences are good when they serve good purposes. They probably even have a place as a metaphor within Christianity.
But fences can also be bad when they serve bad purposes. Especially when they begin to be overly restrictive of those on the inside, which can happen quite easily in any religion.
It’s worth noting that Jesus never says anything like, “I am the fence.” Rather, he says, “I am the gate.” He assumes the presence of a fence. But that’s not his role. Not his focus. Nor is the fence to be the defining aspect of his followers’ spiritual journey.
What Jesus is more interested in freedom than in protection. Yes, the sheep in his metaphor are to have access to the protection of the fence when it is needed (at night time, most likely), but they are also to have access to the outside world, to be allowed out to wander and graze in the open country.
Sheep are living the full life of sheep when they are allowed to wander and graze.
