I AM THE DOOR

I tell you the truth: the man who crawls through the fence of the sheep pen, rather than walking through

the door, is a thief or a vandal. The shepherd walks openly through the entrance. The guard who is posted to

protect the sheep opens the door for the shepherd,

and the sheep hear his voice.

He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When all the sheep have been gathered,

he walks on ahead of them; and they follow him because they know his voice.  The sheep would

not be willing to follow a stranger; they run because they do not know the voice of a stranger.

Jesus explained a profound truth through this metaphor, but they did not understand His

teaching. So He explained further. I tell you the truth: I am the door of the sheep.  All who

approached the sheep before Me came as thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not listen to their

voices.  

I am the door; whoever enters through Me will be liberated, will go in and go out, and will find

pastures. The thief approaches with malicious intent,

looking to steal, slaughter, and destroy; I came to give life with joy and abundance.

(John 10:1-10 – The Voice)

Jesus is the door of recognition & relationship

The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them

out. When he brings all his sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his

voice. But they will never follow a stranger. They will run

away from him because they don’t know his voice. (John 10:3-5 – New Century Version)

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE

Look, if you sold a few sparrows, how much money would you get? A copper coin apiece, perhaps? And yet your Father in heaven knows when those small

sparrows fall to the ground.  You, beloved, are worth so much more than a whole flock of

sparrows. God knows everything about you, even the number of hairs on your head. So do not fear.

(Matt. 10:29-31 – The Voice)

Jesus is my door - he knows me intimately

Jesus is the door of protection & provision

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 heed

them.  I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be

saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (John 10:7-9 – Revised Standard Version)

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE

The Lord has said, “I will never leave you; I will always be by your side.” Because of this promise,

we may boldly say, The Lord is my help— I won’t be afraid of anything.

How can anyone harm me? (Hebrews13:5-6 – The Voice)

Do not be afraid—I am with you! I am your God —let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and

help you; I will protect you and save you. (Isaiah 41:10 – Good News Bible)

Jesus is my door - he will help me continually

Jesus is the door of potential & purpose

A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life,

more and better life than they ever dreamed of. (John 10:10 – The Message)

APPLICATION TO MY LIFE

I know what I am planning for you,” says the LORD. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you.

I will give you hope and a good future. (Jeremiah 29:11 – New Century Version)

You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life.

As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment.

(Psalm 16:11 – The Voice)

Work out the salvation that God gave you with a proper sense of awe and responsibility.

For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve his

purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13 – Phillips New Testament)

Jesus is my door - he loves me unconditionally

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need! He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me

new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.

Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me,

guarding, guiding all the way. You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You

have welcomed me as your guest, blessings overflow!  

Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life,

and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home. (Psalm 23 – LB)

Let’s pray