Daily Devotions
John
I am the Door
Text: John 10 : 1- 21
“I AM THE DOOR”
How did shepherds get their sheep to know their voices so well that they were able to discern and to distinguish them from other voices? Surely it was because of the way the shepherds would speak to them. Given time, sheep would even be able to appreciate the modulations in the voice of the shepherd. They would be able to tell if their shepherd was upset with them or pleased with them.
Jesus spoke to the crowds at length. He never allowed an opportunity to slip by without attempting to speak to them of the salvation that they could have if only they believed in Him. This occasion was no exception. Jesus once again spoke to the crowds and encouraged them to believe in Him.
“Most assuredly, I say to you,
I am the door of the sheep.“I am the door.
If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved,
and will go in and out and find pasture.”
John 10:7, 9
What did Jesus offer to all those who would believe in Him? Let us enumerate some of these thoughts for easier comprehension.
1. An Invitation to be Part of the Flock
This must be the first thought that comes to our mind. Jesus was seeking His sheep. Those who recognized the Shepherd’s voice would be drawn to Him. They would follow Him as part of His flock. The invitation to believe in Him may be found in these words.
“If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.”
John 10:9
2. The Promise of a Close Relationship
The Good Shepherd promised that He would love and care for the sheep. He would be the Door. He would lead the sheep to good pasture. He would stay by them. He would protect them too.
3. The Promise of Salvation
The natural instinct of any living creature is to discover and to enjoy life! Few things in life are as vitally important as salvation. Jesus offered salvation to anyone who believed in Him.
“If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.”
John 10:9
What did it take to open the heart to Jesus? How more clearly would He need to speak? Surely these words of promise of salvation spoke to some hearts!
IN DIRECT CONTRAST
In order to help His hearers to understand and appreciate who He was, Jesus spoke about false shepherds. Let us consider what He said about them.
“All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers…
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy.”
John 10:8a, 10a
Surely the crowds could clearly distinguish between Jesus and others who promoted themselves as shepherds. The false shepherds came and they stole, killed and destroyed. We are reminded of what Jesus said concerning the scribes and Pharisees in the Gospel of Matthew.
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men;
for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow
those who are entering to go in.
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!
For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense
make long prayers. Therefore you will receive
greater condemnation.”
Matthew 23:13-14
Though John did not identify the scribes and the Pharisees, they were clearly implicated. Jesus had no end of trouble with these religious leaders who did everything they could to harm Jesus. They planted doubts. They openly challenged Him. They subverted his ministry in subtle and direct ways. They held secret meetings to plot His death! Yes, they could indeed be described as “thieves and robbers” who did not come “except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy”.
THE PROMISE OF LIFE ABUNDANT
At best, the Jews offered only a religion circumscribed by many elaborate ceremonial observances, but was in fact bereft of spiritual significance. At worst, the religion promoted by the Pharisees was negative and destructive.
In wonderful contrast, Jesus offered salvation. He described it in yet another dynamic way.
“I have come that they may have life,
and that they may have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10
To any thoughtful hearer, this message of Jesus couldn’t be clearer and more inviting. Would the hearers respond? How well do we respond to the words of Jesus?