I am the Door (John 10:7-9)

This sermon was preached on 9/1/2011

In order to understand the significance of this ‘I am’ saying, we have to note what kind of entrance is being alluded to. Sheepfolds in Israel could be of two kinds. One kind would be large and well-structured, usually found in towns or villages, and the entrance to such would be guarded by a porter who opened and closed the door or gate when the shepherds came for or brought back the sheep. Jesus alludes to this kind of fold in verses 1-6. The other kind of fold would be roughly structured and circular, made of rocks, with a gap which functioned as an entrance. The shepherd would call his sheep to enter the fold and, when all the sheep had done so, the shepherd would then lie across the gap and act as a door in order to keep out wild animals. Jesus refers to this kind of fold in verses 7-9.

In the story several things occur. First, the shepherd calls the sheep into the fold (this is illustrated by the sheep’s refusal to listen to false shepherds – so different voices are being heard by the sheep). Second, the sheep enters the fold and discovers safety (Jesus likens this to salvation) because the shepherd is guarding the entrance. Third, the sheep goes out of the fold to find pasture (abundant life, which the false shepherds cannot provide). So we have the shepherd’s call, the shepherd’s protection, and the shepherd’s provision in this illustration of a door.

Before moving on, we can observe the marks Jesus gives as to how we can identify false deliverers. The basic mark of a false shepherd is that he is out only for himself – Jesus likens such to thieves and robbers. He will not protect the sheep from spiritual danger, but is willing for the whole flock to be destroyed as long as he gains personally. The reason for his attitude is basically that he does not love the sheep, unlike the good and faithful shepherds.

The call of the shepherd – ‘Come to Me.’

We can say that there are two kinds of calls that Jesus gives to his sheep. The first call is the gospel call which comes to them when they are unconverted; the second type of call is given to them as converted.

With regard to conversion, the call of the Shepherd is ‘Come to me’. To whom is the call given? It is given to ‘any man’. Jesus calls to people and tells them to come to him. This means that he has something that everyone needs.

What is it that everyone needs? Each of us has individual needs that are peculiar to ourselves and it is appropriate to ask God for help in these areas. Yet the common feature that we all have is the need of salvation. This is the manner in which Jesus speaks – he calls to us as the Saviour offering to us full pardon for our sins. The reason why he is able to offer free forgiveness to us is because he went to the place of punishment and there suffered God’s wrath instead of sinners.

So Jesus comes to all of us and offers salvation. And he comes in a manner that makes salvation simple for all. His illustration is that we use him in the same way as we would use at open door. It is important to observe that it is an open door. Jesus does not say, ‘Come to me,’ and then turn away. Instead he stands and appeals to each of us to approach him and enter into salvation.

It is important to observe that Jesus also stresses that he is the only door. As with many of his other sayings, he claims to be the exclusive Saviour. He is not one of many options, he is not even one of a few options. Instead he is the only Deliverer for all the sheep. Of course, limiting the way of salvation to himself also simplifies things for the sheep, as it means they can ignore all the other options, whether these options are religious or otherwise.

Accordingly Jesus offers to each of us a full salvation that we can receive by simple faith. Perhaps some of you are saying that it cannot be as straightforward as that. What alternative method would you like? Perhaps a combination of penitence and promises to do better in the future. I wonder how many times you have tried that way. You may ask, what is wrong with such a suggestion? It makes yourself into the door, and you cannot be the door for yourself, never mind for anyone else.

Perhaps others of you are saying, ‘I can understand why someone else needs a Saviour because they have done many bad things. But I have lived a good life, helped my neighbours, and don’t need to be pardoned.’ Such a life is valuable as far as communities are concerned, but it is not heavy enough to make an impression on God’s scales. Instead when he measures it against his law he will make it clear that such a person falls far short of the required standard. You cannot be your own door into God’s kingdom. But Jesus says to you, ‘I know that I am the only One who can help you. Come to me.’

Going through a door is very straightforward. If I see a door marked ‘entrance’, I know where it will take me. If I see a door marked ‘restaurant’, I know where it will take me. In some buildings, I see a door marked ‘staff only, and I know I cannot enter it. Jesus is the door to the kingdom and on this door is written, ‘sinners only.’ I am a sinner and therefore I know I can go to Jesus.

But you may say, ‘Surely the word should be “repentant sinners” only.’ It is true that those who come will be penitent, but the invitation is not given to them because they are penitent. Indeed some only begin to repent when they are at the door. Other may repent before them because they have grasped that they have broken God’s law, but even they will have additional repentance when they come to the door.

The call of the shepherd – ‘Stay With Me.’

So we have seen that Jesus says initially to sinners, ‘Come to me because I am the door of salvation.’ But what does he say to them afterwards? His second call to his sheep is ‘Stay with me.’ And he makes this call for two reasons or for two blessings he provides and they are security and satisfaction. Both these features are depicted in the story.

The security is seen, as we have noticed, in the way that the shepherd lies down in the gap and prevents access to robbers or wild animals. Further, the imagery indicates that the shepherd lies down to guard and not to sleep. Here we have a reminder of the great truths of Psalm 121, that the Lord does not slumber or sleep.

The sheep of Christ have many enemies, summarised as the world, the flesh and the devil. Usually, they approach with such stealth that the sheep will not hear them. The good thing for them is that their Shepherd is always aware of the approach of the enemies and of their tactics.

A sheep does not have the wisdom or the strength to deal with its ferocious attackers. All it can do is bleat. But that is all it needs to do, because bleating is a picture of earnest prayer. Prayer is for wisdom and strength, and the answer the Shepherd gives is to stay beside him. As long as they remain where he is, they are safe. Of course, a sheep could panic and jump over the wall of the fold – if it did so, it would place itself in great danger. Its action may seem wise, but actually it would be foolish. We stay near Jesus by trusting in him and holding on to him.

Jesus also tells his people to stay with him in order to find abundant satisfaction. This is pictured in the story by the sheep going out of the fold to find pasture. The sheep does not go by itself, instead it follows the leading of the Shepherd. It is the Shepherd’s responsibility to find the pasture that is suitable for his sheep. I suppose we could say that there are a variety of pastures – God’s attributes, God’s purposes, God’s promises etc. and the sheep are taken there, fed, strengthened and comforted. They discover that their minds are informed and expanded, their affections are moved and reciprocated, and their intentions are guided and rewarded. Staying near the Shepherd brings this ongoing sense of satisfaction. And staying near him means that he will give them the security in which to enjoy the things that satisfy them.

Application

As we can see, the Christian life does not really change as far as the responses of the sheep are concerned. At the onset of the Christian life, the invitation is given to come to Jesus, an instruction that is straightforward and simple. Throughout the Christian life, the invitation is given to stay with Jesus, an instruction that is straightforward and simple. The initial invitation, if accepted, gives salvation from sin; the ongoing invitation, when obeyed, gives security and satisfaction. And even if the second invitation is ignored and the sheep find themselves in trouble, they also discover that their Shepherd will come and get them.

Obviously, we should not focus on the second type of invitation until we have responded to the first. Both invitations are on offer today. To some of us, Jesus says, ‘Come to me, and I will save you.’ To others of us, Jesus says, ‘Stay with me, and I will guard you and provide you with spiritual blessings.’ Each of us knows the invitation to which we must listen.