So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:7-9

A Jewish friend of mine is quite resistant to the message of the Gospel. In fact, he once told me he instructed his own children that someone who attempts to persuade them to believe something other than Orthodox Judaism was trying to “steal their soul.”

Jesus was also concerned about those who would try to steal the soul of others, but my friend denies Jesus’ claim that He is “the door of the sheep.”

Yes, Jesus is making quite an exclusive claim. No other religious leader before Him could justifiably make the statement. In fact, He says that everyone who came before Him and made a similar claim was a thief and a robber who would ultimately “steal the souls” of those who are misled.

I think His message also refers to those who have come after Christ making claims that a new belief is superior to the work of Christ.

But there is also a promise in those words – Jesus states that those who listen to Him will be saved, not just for the moment but for eternity. Secondly, he says they will find pasture. In the following verse, He is more specific –

Ultimately, all other doors (religions/beliefs) lead to destruction, but The Door (Jesus Christ) promises an abundant life – one that is fulfilling and carries an eternal promise of genuine hope for all who believe.