I am the door (John 10:7-10)

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”’

Jesus here is alluding to a practice connected to shepherding. When a shepherd and his sheep were away from the owner’s home or village, the shepherd would need to use or build a fold in the countryside. The fold would be made of stones and other suitable material, and it may have been erected previously. There would be a gap for the sheep to enter and once they were all inside the fold the shepherd would position himself in the gap. He became the door or the gate of the fold. A sheep could not get out and an intruder, whether human or animal, could not get in without the shepherd knowing about it. 

 

It is important for us to realise why people had sheep at that time because it is a bit different from today’s reason. The major reason was for their wool, which means that sheep could be kept under the care of a shepherd for a long time. Therefore, the sheep would get to know the shepherd and his methods, and he would get to know their individual tendencies and so be able to watch out for them and take any necessary actions.

 

What we have here is not so much a picture of the beginning of the Christian life, but the continuation of it after a person has believed in Jesus. Nevertheless, we can think briefly about entering the flock first.

 

The owner and the shepherd

It could have been the case that the owner and the shepherd would be the same person, or it could be the shepherd was employed by the owner. Either way, we can see how the roles illustrate God. In the scenario of the owner and shepherd being different people, then we could say that the owner depicts the Father and the shepherd is Jesus. And if the owner and the shepherd were the same person, we can see how it illustrates Jesus.

 

How do we become the sheep of Christ? We find the answer to that question in the parable Jesus told of the lost sheep. The shepherd had to search for the lost sheep until he found it, and in the parable Jesus depicts a strenuous journey for the shepherd. Jesus does that for us through the gospel. He tells us that he has made it possible for us to join his flock if we accept the gospel invitation to trust in him for salvation. In the parable, when the shepherd found his sheep, he rejoiced and carried it all the way to the fold, which represented heaven and the joyful welcome that will be given. But that is a different application of the fold than what is meant when Jesus says that he is the door.

 

Jesus explains what his functions are as the door. He mentions two. One is that he protects his sheep from those he calls thieves and robbers who would endanger the sheep and mistreat them. The other is that they will find pasture, which he describes as abundant life.

 

The danger facing the sheep

As Jesus indicates, the dangers are like thieves, which mean that they will try and steal what the people of God have. We know that the Bible describes the enemies of God’s people as the world, the flesh and the devil. While it is possible for those enemies to work together, sometimes one of them is predominant at a given time.

 

The world often uses the weapons of allurement or antagonism. Under the category of allurement, we can place things that are attractive, which may not seem very dangerous if used in a sensible way. These are so numerous that it is impossible to list them. Rather we can remind ourselves that the Bible regards some of them as temporary pleasures as opposed to permanent pleasures. Peter informed his readers that often people will regard Christians as strange because they do not join in with their practices. Of course, today there are many more options. The matter for us to consider is whether Jesus the door wants to protect us from the things that allure us and may become dangerous for our souls.

 

The world also uses antagonism, which can vary in its intensity. Sometimes, it may just be a disapproving word; at other times, it can be much stronger, reaching even to the strength of persecution. In between, there is a long list of possible methods of antagonism. Who keeps his people safe in such situations? Jesus does, and we should remember that his protection is usually spiritual, not physical, although at times he may prevent strong expressions of physical hostility. Yet when he allows his people to be opposed, he is always the door of protection.

 

In addition to other matters, the devil obviously can use both allurement and antagonism as he opposes God’s people. Usually, his opposition is expressed in the form of temptation, which can come from within or without. He can tempt according to his malice and he can tempt according to his knowledge of our weaknesses. The point to remember is that Jesus can be our defence when that happens. We know that the items listed in the spiritual armour described in Ephesians 6 are connected to Jesus and it is important that we utilise them when the devil attacks us.

 

The third enemy is what the Bible calls the flesh. It does not refer to our physical body, although often the flesh works through our body. Rather it refers to the sin that remains within us after our conversion. Sometimes, it applies to our thoughts and no one may suspect what is going on within. At other times, it can use our eyes, our mouths, our ears and any part of our physical body. Although sin has been overthrown in the experience of God’s people when they were regenerated, we should remember that it is still powerful.

 

So we can see why we need Jesus as the door to protect us from the powerful enemies that we face. It is important to remember that only Jesus can be the door. This is his role, to defend his people from their spiritual opponents. They are too mighty for us, but not too mighty for him. The Lord has laid our help on one who is mighty.

Provision of abundant life

In the illustration that Jesus uses, the shepherd would function as the door during the darkness of the night hours. During the day, the shepherd would lead the sheep out of the fold to fresh pastures, as described in Psalm 23. The main point to observe is that the shepherd was still with his sheep. Although they were not in the fold, they were still with him. So we can see that Jesus is saying that he will provide good pasture as well as safety for his people.

 

When can Jesus provide this pasture? The answer is at any time, although there may be occasions when he arranges for it to occur at a specific time. We can imagine a shepherd wanting sheep to eat at a specific time and also willing to allow sheep to graze at other times. It is not difficult to work out how specific times could relate to organised church occasions and other times to refer to individual occasions when a believer can feed on what Jesus provides.

 

What does Jesus provide when he takes his people to places? The answer is that everything he provides is in some ways connected to himself. This ‘I am’ is similar to what the previous one when he said that he was the bread of life. Another way of looking at this provision is to note the statement that Jesus gave in the Upper Room when he said that the Holy Spirit would take of the things of Christ and reveal them to the apostles. There is a peculiar application of that prediction to the work of the apostles, but there is also a general principle because it is a promise that applies to all his people.

 

When we take any subject mentioned in the Bible’s description of salvation, it is connected to Jesus. If we start at the beginning, we see that we were chosen in Christ. When we came to faith, it was faith in Christ. We repented because Jesus is exalted to give repentance. When we believed in him, we were justified by God the Father through the imputation of Christ’s righteousness and forgiveness through his sacrifice on the cross. When we were adopted by the Father, we became joint heirs with Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to indwell his people, but he comes to them as the Spirit of Christ. Sanctification is the process by which the Holy Spirit transforms believers into the image of Christ. Jesus is their prophet, priest and king, and all of God’s promises are guaranteed in Christ. When they come to die, they die in Christ and go to be with him in heaven until the resurrection. Even their bodies are still united to Christ. When Jesus returns, he will raise them from the dead. On the Day of judgement, they will be on his right hand.  And they will be with him forever in the new heavens and new earth which he will create as the endless and perfect inheritance.

 

We can say that the concept of salvation is like a menu in which are listed many nourishing courses. Sometimes, one course will be sufficient for a believer, at other times we can enjoy numerous courses. The items will be the same, whether we are in the good pasture of church services or in the private fields of personal devotions – Jesus provides good pasture.

 

Of course, the assumption in the illustration is that the sheep will want to go to the good pastures and there experience the abundant lifegiving provision of the shepherd. If they don’t want to go, it means that there is something wrong with them. Usually, when there is something wrong with them, it is caused by listening to the enemies of their souls, to the world, the flesh and the devil in some way. We cannot listen to the allurements of the world, the temptations of the devil, and the sins of our hearts, and enjoy the provision of the good Shepherd.

 

What can a sick sheep do? It is important for that sheep to remember that it is the Shepherd who can deal with the problem. He alone has the remedy for the disease, and it is dealt with by confessing our sins to God and asking to be forgiven for the sake of Christ. There would be no benefit for a sick sheep struggling on and refusing to take the shepherd’s remedies; all it would be is a sick sheep. The cure that Jesus provides is instantaneous and effective, and it does not matter how often he has to provide it. Any time his sheep need his help, they will experience it. 

 

Applications

There are three brief applications we can make. First, we should ask Jesus always to function as the door who protects us from our spiritual enemies – the world, the flesh and the devil – and we should remind ourselves that he is fulfilling this role for his people. Second, we should delight in Jesus as the provision of abundant life that our souls constantly require, and we should ensure that we use all the opportunities that are available. Third, we should realise the great secret of a successful Christian life – it is dependence on Jesus, the faithful Shepherd who loves to guard his people, guide his people, and feed his people.