What an incredible invitation. An invitation, through Jesus alone, to salvation, security, and life abundant. Let’s examine the powerful truths in this passage as we consider the beautiful invitation offered by Jesus, our door.
Jesus proclaims, “I am the door.” As He does in other passages, Jesus is making a bold claim. He is not merely a way but the way to eternal life. Through Him alone, we find forgiveness, redemption, and reconciliation with God. As we step through this door of salvation, we are embraced by His grace, enveloped in His love, and set free from the bondage of sin.
Our works or abilities are not what earn our right to walk through the door. It is simply the invitation extended by the One who “came not to call not the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). It is through Jesus alone that we can experience abundant life and enter into a relationship with the Father.
In the time of Jesus, shepherds would sometimes create an enclosure and stay at the opening to serve as a gate for the sheep, knowing when to keep them safe inside the enclosure and when to allow them to go out into the pasture.
In the same way, Christ declares Himself to be “the door” and paints a picture of a good shepherd who both brings His sheep out to find pasture and keeps them in to protect them. In our coming and going, Christ is with us. While Jesus is clear that in this world we will have trouble, our good shepherd assures us of His constant presence and guidance.
Beyond the threshold of Jesus lies abundant life. He promises that those who enter through Him will go in and out and find pasture. This imagery speaks of freedom, provision, and peace. While the world leaves us tirelessly chasing after “more” to be satisfied, Jesus gently shows us another way. He invites us to Himself. In Christ, we discover fulfillment for our deepest longings, peace for our souls, and purpose for our days.
He leads us to green pastures where our spirits are refreshed, our hearts are satisfied, and our lives bear fruit that glorifies Him. Again, this doesn’t necessarily mean abundance in a worldly sense but a life of abundance because we know communion with Him. As Elisabeth Elliot said, “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”
As we reflect on John 10:7-10, let us respond to Jesus’ invitation to come to Him, our door. Let us continually lay our fears, doubts, and shortcomings at His feet and step boldly into the abundant life He offers by grace. As we do, may we trust His guidance, rely on His protection, and rest in His provision.
Remember, Jesus is not just a door among many; He is the door to salvation, true rest, and abundant life. Through Him, we find hope in despair, light in darkness, and purpose in chaos.
Join us in praying for those in Indonesia who have yet to hear about this hope found in Christ. Pray they would come to Jesus, the door to salvation, and know Him as their good shepherd.
