When I was a child, our family owned a neighborhood grocery store and I spent a considerable amount of time there. Most of the time, it was a lot of fun, and several consequential moments in my life took place in that building. The first time I held my baby sister was while sitting on a box in an aisle of the store. The first time I lost a tooth was also in the store.
I still remember the way my father suggested the loose tooth be removed. He took a long piece of string that was used for tying up meat, made a loop with it, placed that loop around my tooth, and tied the other end of the string to the front door. Then he pushed the door open to rip out my tooth. He tried twice because I kept wiggling the strong off right before the door was opened. Then he just let me keep the string tied around the tooth to pull it out on my own when I was ready. Have you ever tied one of your children's loose teeth to a door?
Speaking of doors, last Summer, our family was staying in a cabin at a campground. The cabin had a metal door that looked a little off to me one afternoon. When I walked toward it for a closer look, I realized it was dented and scratched with claw marks. It was clear that a bear had attempted to push the door in and gain access to the building. I'm quite grateful that the animal didn't succeed.
What makes doors so useful? Doors allow you to gain entry into a building. They also have the capacity to keep you safe inside, while preventing anyone or anything harmful from getting in.
In John 10, Jesus made another "I AM" statement where He said of Himself, "I am the door." Does that description surprise you or sound a little curious? What did Jesus mean when He spoke of Himself this way?
I. Jesus is the way to enter into the family of God (John 10:7)
“So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” ”
In the greater context of the first portion of John 10, Jesus painted a picture of the life and work of a shepherd. The examples He used of caring for sheep would have been familiar to His original audience.
At night, it would have been customary for a shepherd to gather his sheep and pen them in some fashion to protect them. Sometimes a shepherd would gather them into a cave. Other times they would be gathered into an area surrounded by fencing made from branches. And to make sure he could control what came in and out of the area where the sheep were kept, there would only be one entrance. The shepherd would sleep at that entrance like a protective guard. Nothing could come in via that opening, or leave through it, without his blessing or permission.
As the Messiah who cares for His spiritual sheep, this analogy served as an accurate description of Christ's ministry and activity. In John 10:7, Jesus said, "I am the door of the sheep." To enter into the family of God, one must go through Him because He is the door. He's the one at the entrance.
A couple years ago, I had the chance to see one of my favorite bands from childhood. They reunited and were touring the United States, performing their most popular album in its entirety. I bought tickets to go see them, but because the venue was on the smaller side, the entrance to the building was guarded by a visibly armed security guard. Before we could enter, we were checked for weapons, and had to show our tickets as well as our identification. He also made it clear to us that he wasn't messing around. He did this to protect the band and the fans. To enter into that concert, we all had to go through him.
To enter the family of God, we only have one means of entry. We must go through Christ to be included in the Lord's sheepfold. He is the door, and there's no side entrance or secret passage. Only through Christ can we gain access to the family and kingdom of God.
II. Jesus came to give, not steal from His family (John 10:8)
“All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ”
There are few things in life less pleasant than being stolen from. When I was growing up, I stocked shelves at my father's grocery store, and he would pay me a bonus that was more than my hourly wage whenever I caught a shoplifter. I got pretty good at it too. I learned to observe patterns of shoplifting, body language, and how to tell if someone was lying. My father regularly said that was one of the best "loss prevention" programs he ever implemented.
In John 10:8, Jesus referenced "thieves and robbers." In making this reference, He was speaking about those who came to steal from His family. That would include people like "false messiahs" and "false teachers" who attempted to gain a following for selfish and worldly purposes. It would also include many of the smug religious leaders of the day who were less concerned with integrity and truth, and more concerned with personal prestige and wealth that could be gained by fleecing people who trusted them.
But that stands in stark contrast to the ministry and character of Christ. Jesus didn't come to steal, He came to give. He sacrificially served us, even though we had nothing to offer Him that He couldn't have had already. He gave up the comforts and glory of Heaven to walk among us, be disrespected, and suffer on our behalf. He gave us His counsel. He gave us His example. He gave His blood on the cross to atone for our rebellion, and He grants us eternal life through faith in Him as a gift that He has paid for on our behalf.
Interestingly, one of the clearest ways you can tell someone has come in Christ's name, is whether they emulate His heart and example in this area. Have they come to give you something or take something from you? Have they come to sacrificially serve or be served? This is a good metric to utilize when you choose whose counsel to listen to or who to elevate to a role of spiritual leadership. There are many false teachers and false messiahs, but Christ's sheep will listen to His voice over the voice of those who rob and steal.
III. Jesus demonstrates that He is the true Messiah (John 10:9)
“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. ”
Every heart is looking to be saved. Everyone you know is looking to be rescued. Everyone seems to have an opinion about what will save the world, or how they can save themselves. Scripture is very clear that our individual lives, and the world in which we live, will only be rescued through Christ. He restores our lives. He restores creation. There isn't a secondary option or a substitute that can take His place.
"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." (Romans 8:20-23)
In our culture, there are a variety of options being floated as viable solutions to save this world. Millions of people believe the earth can be saved through environmental causes, but it won't. It's biblical to be a good steward of creation, but it is theologically incorrect to adopt the belief that the efforts of man have the capacity to save the planet from its bondage to decay.
Millions of people place their greatest trust in political leaders, philosophies, and ideologies to save this world, but they won't work. I vote, and I happily support people I think will be good leaders, but it is theologically incorrect to place the mantle of "Messiah" on any world leader or governing philosophy other than Jesus and His benevolent reign. He is the King of kings, and He has the capacity to transform the human heart. No earthly king, prince, governor, or president can accomplish that.
Jesus is the true Messiah. He is the door we need to walk though if we're going to experience the salvation, restoration, and sustenance our hungry hearts crave.
IV. Jesus is the key to a full and meaningful life (John 10:10)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Years ago, our family became friends with a woman who attended worship services at a struggling church we were trying to assist. On occasion, I would speak there, and she made it clear that she appreciated the messages, which I thought was nice. But she also made it clear that she didn't really want to hear much about the concept of life after death. She was more interested in hearing about what Jesus could do for her right now.
I thought that was an interesting perspective, and while I truly wanted her to develop a deeper appreciation for the concept of everlasting life through Christ, I also appreciated her honest admission that she wanted to know more about what Jesus was willing to do to impact her day-to-day life in the present.
What are your thoughts about that? Do you get more excited about what Jesus has in store for you in the future, or do you lean toward appreciating what He is doing on your behalf in the present? Or are you at the place where you've developed an appreciation for both aspects of His ministry?
In John 10:10, Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." What does it look like to enjoy an abundant life, right now, through Christ?
When Jesus speaks about giving us an abundant life, He's telling us that He offers us new life in Him that is far better than we would have ever expected it to be. Abundant life is a life characterized by an eternal, unbreakable relationship with Him. Those who enjoy this relationship can find joy in every circumstance, hope in the midst of every trial, and help whenever it is needed.
The abundant life Christ offers is a life characterized by growth, maturity, transformation, and spiritual strength. He takes us from spiritual infancy and develops us into spiritual leaders. He found us when we were dead, and He gives us life. He found us when we were enslaved to weakness, and He blessed us with His strength. We may not have every material thing we want in this world, but if we have Christ, we have everything we truly need.
When Jesus said, "I am the door," He was revealing to us that He is the divine passageway that we are required to go through if we desire to experience the kind of life we were originally designed to possess. Is that the kind of life you'd like to experience? Is your heart convinced that Christ is the door you must walk through in order to obtain it?
© John Stange, 2019
