Action-packed with Salvation

I know it has been a while since the Fourth Sunday of Easter, but the readings are so full of salvific meaning (even I can pick it up), that I just have to say something.

The drama starts out with Peter making the bold claim:

There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved (Acts 4:12).

Even in our current day this claim irks many. But far from being a statement of exclusivity, Jesus explains in the gospel that salvation is for all.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd (John 10:16).

Now you're probably thinking, what does that statement have anything to do with salvation for all?

1. Immediately after making this statement, Jesus discusses his salvific act, his death and resurrection. So the context of his parable is clearly salvific.
2. The Jewish world-view consisted of Jews (those in "this fold") and Gentiles (everyone who is not Jewish). So when Jesus refers to other sheep not of "this fold" he is really referring to everyone in the world who is not Jewish. Thus his sheep are made up of those who are Jews and those who are not Jews, or in other words, everyone in the world.

So Peter's statement doesn't exclude anyone. But the question still remains, why does salvation have to come through Jesus alone? Why can't salvation come through Abraham or Mohammed or Buddha as well? The answer to that question depends on the nature of salvation. Not surprisingly, in the second reading, John presents us with the most concise definition of salvation in the Bible.

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are (1 John 3:1)

By its nature, salvation is adoption. When we are saved, we become children of God, literally a part of his family. If we're going to be a part of his family, we need to have his permission, right? Suppose I want to be a part of Michael Jordan's family. I could claim to be his son, but unless he, or someone he sent invites me to be a part of his family, I can't really be adopted by him.

As far as I know neither Moses, nor Mohammed, nor Buddha, nor anyone outside of Jesus has claimed to be a messenger from God, inviting humans to join God's family. If someone else has made such a claim, I haven't seen evidence to back up that claim as convincing as the evidence Jesus presented.

You may be able to claim that Jesus was a cook or a con-artist, but it is unreasonable to claim that Peter's statement in Acts that salvation comes through Jesus alone is somehow closed-minded or divisive. On the contrary, it is a natural consequence of the nature of salvation.