After the healing of a man who was born blind, Jesus was approached by the Pharisees who did not believe. Jesus said they were actually spiritually blind and not physically blind. If they were blind they would have no sin.
Jesus told them this parable (or figure of speech according to the NIV):
"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for them, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice. Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to stell and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:1 to 10, NIV, emphasis added).
Take note of the following:
1. Jesus is the gate for the sheep. The watchman or gate keeper is probably an angel of the Lord. Some Bible teachers said the watchman is God. But, I do not think so, because the watchman is a hired servant.
2. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6). Anyone who enters the sheep pen (or sheepfold) through "the way and the truth and the life" will be saved.
3. The Church is likened to a flock of sheep (Ezek. 34:1 - 19; Jer. 33:1 - 4). So, the only way for a pastor (a shepherd) to enter the Church of God a is by believing on Jesus and obeying His Word, His Truth and His Commands. Only a true sheperd of the Lord's sheep has the divine authority to enter the gate.
4. Within the context of this parable, the religious teachers and the Pharisees claimed to be teachers and pastors, but the gate of the sheep pen was not opened for them. They failed to obey Jesus but denied Jesus as the only way, the truth and the life. They entered some other way. Therefore, Jesus considered them as thieves and robbers. Similarly, the true pastor of the Church of God are called to the ministry and anointed by the Holy Spirit to fulfill his calling. He is under divine authority and gifted according to his calling to shepherd the flock of God.
5. A thief is one who silently and secretly takes away the property belongs to another. A robber is one who does it violence and bloodshed. To the Pharisees and the ministers of His Church who are not called, Jesus gave the name of thieves and robbers. Those who are not called usually seek the office from ambition, from love of power and recognition to promote their own interests.
Finally, if you have read my earlier posting of "Divine authority and Headship" you will realize that if a woman pastor is ever called by God to be a shepherd of the Lord's flock, God has to change His Word. If God will not change His Word, then no woman pastor would be called and come under the Divine Authority to enter the sheep pen by way of the gate. Because the gate keeper will not allow any one to come in by way of the gate with divine authority, she must enter the sheep pen by some other ways. This is a logical conclusion.
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