Message topic: Jesus is the door to God’s kingdom
Scripture text: John 10:1-9
Often times when Jesus makes a statement, you will have to think what is he really referring to; but the statement which He made in John 10:7, a normal two years old child in our society today knows what a door is, so how can He, a man, be a door?
What did Jesus really meant when He said I am the door? The statement I am the door which is found in John 10: 7, is the third of seven I am recorded only in John’s Gospel. These I am, proclamations point to His unique, divine identity and purpose.
In this I am statement, Jesus colorfully points out for us the exclusive nature of salvation by saying that He is the door, not a door. Furthermore, Jesus is not only our Shepherd who leads us into the sheepfold, but He is the only door by which we enter and be saved, (John 10:9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. Jesus is the only means we have of receiving eternal life as stated in John 3: 16.
What does I am the door really means? Let’s look at the biblical concept of shepherd: in order to better understand what I AM the door really means, woven through Scripture many men of God worked both as sheep tenders and leaders of people. Political and religious rulers were often referred to as shepherds. In fact, many Old Testament leaders served as shepherds on the hills of Israel and Judea. Moses, and David cared for flocks before leading God’s people: and David in the well-known 23: Psalm proclaims that the Lord is his shepherd.
Biblical history recounts God shepherding His people through His designated leaders. David fulfilled the prophecy to become the shepherd line through which the Messiah Good Shepherd would one day be King.
Religious rulers, steeped in the laws of Moses, listened to Jesus speak and understood the significance of His words: I am the Door, is the third of seven recorded “I Am” declaration in John. Through this statement, Jesus claimed divinity and Himself as the passageway, The Door, to the Fathers kingdom.
The same John who penned Jesus words in John 10; is the same who wrote the book of Revelation, the final book of the bible. In the context of Revelation 3, a much older John announces to the church in Laodicea, modern-day Turkey, a lack in their spiritual state.
In Revelation 3: 20, we hear Jesus saying: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
What door is Jesus standing by and knocking? He is standing at the heart door of mankind, He is not one to force himself on mankind, He comes and made Himself available to whoso ever will accept and follow him, He will become the only door through which we can enter God’s kingdom.
Although the context is written to believers within a church body, it echoes back to Jesus declaration as The Door. His plea in John 10:9, if anyone enter this door, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture, which coincides with Revelation 3: 20, if anyone hears my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and he with me.
What does the Bible have to say about Doors?
The Bible has a lot to say about doors both literally and figuratively. They open and shut. They have an inside and outside, they provide access or denial, and give freedom or captivity.
When Noah was given instructions to build the Ark of safety that would save all who enters, it had one door: a door that would cause the smallest insects and birds, to the largest animals known to man to enter.
That is why Jesus says he is the Door, not a door, A door that will allow whoso ever will open their hearts and let Him come in to us.
Doors are important to God: In the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot shut a physical door against the wicked men of the city (Genesis 19:6) when God led His people out of Egypt, the final plague required the Israelites to put blood on their doorposts signaling the angel of death to pass by(Exodus 12:22-23).Rhoda left Peter at the door of the house where he knocked after his miraculous escape from prison(Acts 12:12-16).
In Matthew (25: 10) Jesus tells a parable about 10 virgins and a shut door, Luke 13: 22-28 relates a parable of a narrow door.
We find these words in 1st. Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, He is the gatekeeper. Or the only door door.
Biblical Christianity invites everyone, yet it is clear that Christ alone is the Door. All worldviews are exclusive in their own ways, each with their own master, creed, belief, or even unbelief.
Negativity surrounds our cultural misconceptions of gatekeeping but our look back to the ancient customs brings a much different perspective. The gatekeeper is a merciful Savior and lover of the sheep.
Only Jesus the Good shepherd laid down His life for His people. His sacrifice on the cross for our sins provides for an open gate for all to enter into eternal life. Salvation comes with a price only the sinless Son of God could redeem but is offered freely to all who believe.
How much do we understand the words of John (3: 16) we may have repeated them many times, but do we really understand what they are saying to us? For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
In John (14:6 ) Jesus identify himself as I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man can get to the Father but by me, He is in fact saying, I am the door, the only door to the father’s kingdom.
What do we hope to see when Jesus the only door to the Fathers kingdom is open so that we can see the dwelling place of God the Father. John the revelator penned these words for us in Revelation chapter 22: starting at verse one.
He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the lamb. In the midst of the street of it and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bear twelve manners of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it: and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their forehead.
There shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
And he said unto me, these sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done, Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keeps the saying of the prophecy of this book.
I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.
Let us not forget that there is one door, Jesus is that door to the kingdom of God the Father who reigns above forever. I am on the inside for safety, the outside means death, on which side are you?