June 14, 2023

The Door

“This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. So Jesus said to them again, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.’ This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. So Jesus said to them again, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.’” John 10:6-7 (NASB)

            In the early 1970’s, my middle sister was chasing me through the house. I can’t remember why she was chasing me, but I must have done something. As I got closer to the door, I opened it to escape. The door was one of those doors which was comprised of pane glass and screen. We used to call them “hurricane doors,” although a hurricane would have certainly destroyed them. As I opened the door, I slammed it behind me suddenly before she got there. She didn’t stop. She ran into the glass door. It broke into hundreds of pieces. It cut her face a little bit, but I received far greater punishment for it than injuries to her. The door stopped her dead in her tracks, even though it was made of glass. Even as it broke, she wouldn’t go through it.

            “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” “Here Jesus changed the metaphor slightly. In the first figure of speech, He was the Shepherd; here He is the Door to the sheepfold. This is the third of seven statements in John’s gospel where “I AM” is followed by a predicate nominative (v. 11, 6:35, 8:12, 11:25, 14:6, 15:1, 5).” [1] In the first figure of speech, we all see Jesus as the Great Shepherd. He is the One who protects, feeds, and looks out for our welfare. He knows each one of us by name. He knows everything we have ever done and will do in the future. In this passage above, we see Jesus illustrate Himself as the Door to the sheepfold. This means He is the only One each of us may enter to His flock. He knows which one are His and which are not. He is the only way to enter into the Kingdom of God. When each person becomes part of God’s flock they are in the safety of the fold, and go out to enjoy the blessings of His pasture. When Jesus had to repeat this saying to them twice, He wanted them to understand He is the only way to God’s kingdom. In saying this twice, He must have said, “I think I was pretty clear about what I said.” But the blindness of the Pharisees was willful.

            Doors create barriers to the other side. Things may be heard from the other side of the door, but not able to experience what is on the other side until the door is opened to them. When a person is allowed entrance by the Door, they see a whole new way of life. The heart is changed forever, seeing the promises of God which were formerly blocked by our sin. Jesus is the ultimate Door which opens our eyes to seeing God’s kingdom. When we enter in through the door, we gain a new understanding to God’s promises. We see things differently, but it is only by entering by the Door/ Jesus Christ. He is the only way. When we come to Jesus Christ, we are allowed access to the Father, and sealed by the Holy Spirit. He now resides within each of us. But it all began by coming through the Door, Jesus Christ.

            The Pharisees were on the other side of the door. Locked out because of their willing denial of Jesus. Don’t get caught on the other side of the door. You are missing everything God has to offer your life without Him. Repent and turn your life over to Jesus today.

[1] (John MacArthur, 2006), 430.