Apr 18, 2011

He is the Door

"I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:9)(ASV)

Here's another interesting devotional by Dr. John A. Witmer:

Christ the Door

The "door" into the ancient sheepfold was frequently nothing more than an open space in the fence or the fold itself. At night after the flocks had been driven into the fold, the shepherd or one of his hired hands would lie down across that open space in the fence, thus keeping the sheep in the fold. At the same time nothing could enter the fold or molest the sheep without arousing him.

The point as it relates to the Lord Jesus Christ is that as the "door" He is the Way of entrance into the sheepfold of God, not a barrier to entrance. So many people falsely think of Christ as though he were an obstacle to be surmounted to get to the presence of God. In contrast, the Lord Jesus Christ is the very Way of access, the only Way of access.

Entrance through Christ into the sheepfold of the family of God means salvation for us. We will be safe and sound from thieves and robbers. But we will also have freedom, not bondage. We will be able to go in and out. True liberty is found in Christ. And finally we will have nourishment and satisfaction--we shall "find pasture." Abundant blessing is found through Christ--and only through Christ.

Robertson properly says, "One can call this narrow intolerance, if he will, but it is the narrowness of truth. If Jesus is the Son of God sent to earth for our salvation, He is the only way..."

The door of the ancient sheepfold was only wide enough for one sheep to pass through at a time. With Christ as the door, we are reminded that each individual must personally receive Christ as Savior by faith and enter into the fold by Him. "I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:7)(ASV)

Some years ago I wrote a song about the same topic, and I'd like to share the lyrics with you here:

He is the Door

(vs.1) The Lord's hand isn't shortened that it cannot save
and the Lord's ear isn't heavy that it cannot hear
Your life is just a vapor that appears and then disappears
so seek the Lord while He may be found call upon Him while He is near
Your sins have hidden His face so that He will not hear you
narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life
You will seek Him and find Him when you search with all of your heart
the wages of sin is death but God's gift is eternal life through Jesus

(chorus)Christ our Lord, He is the Way
He is the Life, He is the Door
He is the Door

(vs.2) I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears
the Lord's eyes are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry
Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts
and let him return to the Lord and He will have mercy on him
(repeat chorus)

(bridge)Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life
No one comes to the Father except through Jesus
(repeat chorus)
copyright Joey Culpepper Heart of Praise Music

Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper

Psalm 122:1

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord." (HCSB)