John 10:7-18 – So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
“So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. Who are the sheep being referred to? Are they those who have believed in Jesus and committed to following Him? Or is He the door to all the Jews? He is the way and the opportunity. Is He the door to the world? Is He the door to all? From John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” and 2 Peter 3:9 “…not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” Some have said that understanding of this verse in John is not the door “for” the sheep but “to” the sheep. Certainly it is clear that Jesus died for the whole world and so all who come, and indeed all are invited, may come to Jesus who is the door and He will open and allow all who will believe and obey to come through Him to step immediately out of this world and eternally into the presence and reality of God. Each step here drawing us further into the kingdom of our God, and our steps here with Jesus are just as real, right now, as the ethereal kingdom of our God to come. The eternal journey starts with the first step through the only door Jesus and the journey never ends. Now we are here and then there, but it is all just as real and just as sure. Becoming a new creature begins by coming through the door that is Jesus. The new us learns and matures throughout eternity.
“All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.” There were sheep who already recognized the Door and there were sheep to come later. These sheep recognized the Shepherd’s voice when deep in their spirit they heard it. To them they came. Maybe they stumbled, maybe they were misled, but eventually they recognized and came. Jesus hold them secure to Himself.
“All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” When my wife and I were on our honeymoon, we were tired and traveling late. My wife, ever our navigator, was studying a map. She told me that she thought she saw a short cut. She showed it to me and it looked like we could cut miles off of our journey. We decided to try it. We soon found out that we were traveling a very dark road that traveled beside a stream, or little river. There were no lights on this windy road with sharp turns. It was dark. I tried not to show any nervousness, but let’s just say I was intently concentrating on the road while trying my best to show confidence so as not to alarm her. The Lord was our comfort as we, two relatively new converts, travelled the winding road. The Lord was telling us both that our journey would have dark times that could be scary but that He would always lead us to the light. His light. Suddenly we came around another dark bend and there was a large city with bright lights. Suddenly we were in the light. We profusely thanked God. Since then the Lord has always brought us through seemingly dark times into the Light. Now we know the Light is always ahead as Jesus leads. In fact the Light is with us even in the dark places and though we may not always see, we are always lead. How true that when a child of God comes to the door and walks through, He walks into a reality from which He is forever changed. How wonderful the change!
All who His have come through the door know that they have. Someone may say that they never went through the door, but all that have know the silliness of the statement, just silliness. I remember entering the land of light and wonder. I remember who called to me and let me in. He is the Shepherd and He is the Door and He is Jesus. He is the only way to the other side of the door. Thank you Jesus! Praise our Savior and Lord Jesus!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will Hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, Oh man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 – The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.