“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.” John 10:8-10
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:20
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'” Matthew 28:18-20
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15
Jesus’s figures of speech gave ready illustration to keen listeners. He was indeed the way to be saved: near and available, yet inviting initiative to enter. Whosoever will may come. To pass through Jesus one way was to enter life, and the other way was to go out in the security that I have known you since the foundation of the world. One way was to enter eternal salvation, the other was to share that message of salvation while being spiritually sustained in the pasture of that world. Who would not make Him their chosen gateway through which to thrive in abundant life? (John 14:6; Acts 2:21; Ephesians 1:4; Revelation 22:17)
Yet, harnessed in self-will and determination, we craft our own doors. We skirt or dismiss God’s right way. We test wrong paths. We forge selfish paths. We think we know best. We’re enticed by the world’s offerings. Choices abound for the ways to success in a myriad of ‘vital’ areas: health, finance, mental peace, relational fulfillment. Enticements lure us into a variety of entertainments and occupations of mind and body, and out into a wild array of sensory and intellectual experiences. But only the gospel door will truly fulfill. Only Jesus knows us inside out and offers the way to abundant life and full joy. (John 15:11; Philippians 2:2-4)
His way is narrow, and often difficult. It goes against the world’s crowd and flow of popularity. It requires fixing the will and saying no to outside avenues and frivolities. We must open that door, and in doing so reject others. Are we willing? Is this our desire? (Matthew 7:13-14)
What keeps us putting off the decision to follow Jesus with no turning back, to enter once and for all? If we know that these truths set us truly free, why are we unwilling to turn the handle? What allures of this life do we pretend are greater than the treasure of knowing Christ and the soul-satisfying joy He gives? We begin to understand the worth of knowing Jesus when we accept that everything hinges on Him. (John 8:36; Philippians 3:8-9)
Lord, my gracious Door, keep me ever close and always eager to invite others in to know You too.
As the rain and snow 