Have you ever seen anyone use this gesture? It usually means that something that was said to somebody went right over their head. And Jesus might have used that gesture today in talking with the pharoses. The whole idea of, ‘I am the gate’ -it went right over their head.

Jesus reminds us today very clearly, ‘I am the gate to the sheepfold.’

We must understand that in the time of Jesus, a sheepfold was a small, enclosed structure -like a stone wall, open to the sky- and it had a gate and the sheep would follow the Shepard in and out of the gate.

If someone were to climb over, the sheep had a sense this was not the shepherd. They would not follow that voice.

And so, Jesus is clear, ‘I am the gate to the sheepfold.’

He reminds us that he is the gate that leads us to God’s love, God’s care, God’s protection in this life despite all the uncertainties and challenges that we face. Jesus is the gate that leads us one day to the sheepfold eternally in heaven.

This is an ancient and a simple symbol and image. Jesus says, “I am the gate.” And it’s meant to remind us not to listen to the other voices of our culture that lead us astray, away from the message of Jesus -God’s care, God’s love, self-sacrifice, and giving- sometimes putting another first over our own interest.

Jesus says, “I am the gate. Follow my voice, hear my voice, follow me.”

Don’t let this happen. Don’t let it go over your head.