The Correct Door

John 10:1-10

Knowing the correct door is important.  There have been several times when I had an appointment in a large office building, and when I got off the elevator, I stood in a long hallway with a dozen or more doors.  It was good I had a specific room number, as otherwise I would not know which door to go through.  Picking the correct door was important.  Otherwise I would be in the wrong office, the wrong place.  That could be embarrassing, plus I would be late for my appointment.  There have been some game shows on television where at some point in the show the contestant needs to pick a door and they would get the prize behind the door.  Pick the correct door and it was a good prize.  Pick the wrong one and it might be something useless.  Sometimes the door we pick to open is even more important than these.  In our Scripture reading today, the Apostle John tells us from his Gospel of one Name that Jesus gave Himself, that of the Door.  Let’s see what John tells us, and what we can learn today.

As our passage begins, Jesus is describing a scene that His audience would likely be familiar with, that of a shepherd and his sheep.  In the evening, the shepherd would gather the sheep together into a sheepfold or sheep pen.  This would be to protect the sheep from any danger at night, whether from wild animals or thieves who would try to steal the sheep.  As Jesus describes the scene, He says that the thief usually won’t come through the door of the pen, but sneaks in another way (vs. 1).  That’s the same with our homes.  The thief often comes in through a window, or maybe the back entrance.  People we allow in our front door are those we welcome into our homes.  Jesus tells us that the shepherd will go through the door of the sheepfold.  He calls the sheep, and they recognize his voice and come to him (vs. 2-5).

Most of us are familiar with the title Jesus gave Himself of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11, 14).  Here we read of Jesus calling Himself the Door (vs. 7, 9).  Doors are important.  They keep our houses protected, both from intruders and also from weather.  Jesus is both the Good Shepherd and the Door, a door between us and our enemies.  Just as a door can protect us from all harm and danger from evil, so does Jesus.  The thieves and robbers are those who try to trap us with false doctrines and teachings, and the chief thief is Satan.

By going in through the Door of Jesus we find salvation (vs. 9).  Just as it was important for me to find the correct door to enter for my appointments, it is important to select the correct door for salvation.  Picking the wrong door will bring eternally disastrous results.   There is only one door to heaven, and that is Jesus Christ.  Jesus is not one way among many.  He is the only way.

When we go through the Door that Jesus is, not only do we receive salvation, we are also privileged to become part of God’s family.  We then go out into the world as Jesus’ witnesses.  He also provides us with pasture, providing for all of our needs.

Are we listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd as He calls His sheep, or are we listening to the father of lies (John 8:42-45) ?  Satan is the thief that Jesus is talking about, and he has come to steal, to kill, and to destroy (vs. 10).  He will try to lead us away from the Good Shepherd.  He tries to get people to select another door, any other door, than the one that is Jesus, the only door that will bring us salvation.  In contrast to a thief who frequently may take a life, Jesus came to give us life, and to reconcile us to God.  Someone could have all the money, belongings, friends, etc., but still have an empty life.  If one doesn’t have Jesus, their life will be empty.  Jesus is the only One who can bring us an abundant life.

Are we looking to go through the correct door, or will be deceived by Satan, the liar and thief?  Jesus said that He is the door we have to enter in to be saved.  Only one door brings the prize on the game show.  Only one door will get you to the correct office.  Only going through Jesus, the Door, will bring us salvation and abundant life.