“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.” (John 10:1)
Although Jesus was speaking in metaphorical language, it is obvious that the truth He expresses is that that the only way to the Kingdom of Heaven is through Him. He is the door or gate, the entrance to the sheepfold. The metaphor of Him as a shepherd enhances this idea because only those sheep that belong to Him get in for the shepherd acts as the door. He knows which belong in His fold and those that do recognize His voice, that is, know and believe in Him, so only they get in. And as a shepherd, His sheep trust Him and depend on Him for everything. Figuratively Jesus was speaking primarily of the Jews, but He made it clear that sheep that dwelt outside of Israel belonged to Him as well. The entrance to the Kingdom of God is now open to people of every ethnic group, language and nationality.
The strange thing today is that so many of the sheep seem to be led astray by shepherds who masquerade as servants of God. Now no real Christian should be fooled by outward pagans and teachers of non-Christian sects and religions though many people who are not rooted in the Bible, who reject it as the Word of God, will believe what suits their fancy. Yet many Christians will fall prey to preachers and pastors who claim to speak for the Lord. They promise prosperity, healing and ease to those who will come, to those who will give their cash, to those who will perform certain acts of worship and sacrifice, but such false teachers are preying upon people’s fears. Such preachers are out to build their own kingdom not the Lord’s. The true sheep may be led astray, but will always come back to the Lord. He will not let them be taken from His fold.