John 10:8-9 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
You and I use doors dozens, if not hundreds of times each day. We have them on our homes, our vehicles, our places of employment, and we use them constantly. And yet as familiar as their use is, this is far from the image in mind of the people that day when Jesus stood up and declared: “I Am the door!”
In that day, shepherds would bring their flocks in at night to the sheepfold. This sheepfold would be large, probably circular, and made of stones stacked one upon the other. But the sheepfold did not have a “door” at the front or back like you and I have on our homes. The door of the sheepfold, really, was more like the absence of any door at all! There would simply be a gap, or a break, in the stone where the shepherd could lead the sheep in and out. One way in, and one way out
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This was the picture that the people hearing Jesus’ message would have had in mind. At night, the Shepherd, or perhaps a porter (vs. 3) would then sit down IN that opening. The shepherd then would be “the door” that stood between the sheep, and the harm of the outside world. It is then that Jesus declares this I AM statement: “I AM the door.” By this, Jesus was declaring two thoughts:
1) Jesus is the Door that Leads People Out – (vs. 2-3)
It’s a simple, obvious statement but — a door works both ways. In this parable, the sheepfold represents the nation of Israel. And Jesus is saying to the nation of Israel, “I’m not here to lead you in, I’m here to lead you out!” The Jews believed that they were just fine because they were God’s chosen people. They thought, “we’re a special group of people — we’re ok!”
Let’s apply it in today’s vernacular:
“I’ve been in church my whole life – I’m ok.”
“My family serves at the church – I’m ok.”
“I was born and raised in the church – I’m ok.”
Can I challenge you: Let’s not get so caught up with being “good, religious, church-going” people, that we miss entirely the necessity of our personal relationship with Christ.
Jesus was telling these Jewish people, “I’m here to lead you out of your dead religion, and into a living relationship with Me!”
2) Jesus is also the Door that Leads People In – (vs. 8-10)
There were only two ways a sheep was ever led out of the fold and into the green pastures. Someone would lead them, or someone would steal them. Thieves would climb over the walls, steal a sheep, and throw it back over the wall, which no doubt led to death for the sheep. But the Shepherd would call the sheep, who knew Him by the sound of His voice, and they would follow the Shepherd into green pastures and beside still waters (Psalm 23).
By the way, Thieves cannot lead – they can only steal. The sheep wouldn’t follow the Thief because they didn’t know his voice (vs. 5). So Satan doesn’t try speaking to you, he tries to steal you. He is trying to do everything he can to steal your heart, your mind, your attention. He is doing everything he can to rob you of the joy in the Christian life, and rob you of the good seed that is sown into your heart. But Jesus came to lead us in; to lead us into relationship with Him, into the joy of His presence, and into the safety and security of His care.
Don’t allow the devil to steal your joy and your purpose in the Christian life by distracting you with the cares of this life — follow the Shepherd. He is the Door!
Jesus said in the very next verse:
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
All the way my Savior leads me, Who have I to ask beside
How could I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my guide
All the way my Savior leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living Bread
All the way my Savior leads me, Oh, the fullness of His love
Oh, the sureness of His promise, In the triumph of His blood
And when my spirit clothed immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way
You lead me and keep me from falling, You carry me close to Your heart
And surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me