I AM THE DOOR

A door is an inanimate object, right? As I look at all of the houses on my block, I see that every house has a front door (and many even have back doors). A sheepfold in Jesus’ day also had a “front door” (with no back door). Sheep went in and out of that one door each day, in all of their innocence trusting in the shepherd who led them.

I can imagine that some sheep didn’t like being shut into the sheepfold each night, and maybe some even tried to escape through whatever hole they might have found. Some sheep may have resisted going into the sheepfold, running off away from the herd to enjoy a bit more time frolicking in the countryside.

Some days I would just like to stay within the safety and peace of the sheepfold, but Jesus persistently leads me out every day, because he knows that I need both the spiritual exercise and the nourishment that he provides through “pastures” outside the fold. Psalm 23 says that Jesus leads me beside still waters and restores my soul through the walks outside the sheepfold.

Our neighbours have put up a white picket fence in their front yard, and I see them leading their two little dogs in and out of the gate/door to go for walks. They live on the corner of our street, and cars, as well as other dogs, are a danger to these little dogs. They would not be able to play safely in their front yard if they did not have a fence to protect them. As it is, they are very brave to bark at larger dogs from the safety of their yard! It seems like they might be saying, “You can’t get me here, I’m not afraid of you!”

Why did Jesus personify a door? A door opens and shuts, and in this case, it provided for the sheep’s well-being in three ways:

I AM YOUR SALVATION. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Once you become Jesus’ sheep, you are eternally his, and he saves you spiritually from sin and death.

I AM YOUR FREEDOM. Although having a door shut may seem restrictive, there is freedom in trusting the door to open and close with your best interests in mind. We have complete freedom in Jesus as the Door.

I AM YOUR SECURITY. Whenever you are afraid and worried, you can trust Jesus to protect you, to keep you safe from enemies and threats.

Jesus, thank you for being the Door in my life. Help me to appreciate everything you do for me, even when it’s hard to trust you! Amen.

Throughout this day: Consider what you personally appreciate most about Jesus being the Door for you, as his sheep: salvation, freedom, or security?