Jesus the Door: Access Granted
John 10:1-10
Intro: [Review series The 7 I AM Sayings of Jesus in John.] When Jesus made these statements, He was using the equivalent of God’s name, as He revealed it to Moses at the burning bush – I AM! It is possible He spoke it in Hebrew or Aramaic, since He was conversing with Jews, but the earliest reliable manuscripts we have of John’s gospel are written in Greek, using the words, “ego eimi.” In our text today, Jesus states, “I Am the Door of the sheep.” What was He talking about?
-Let’s look at some background. [slide] In ancient Israel sheep folds were not like the corrals you might see today. They were crude affairs, often built of bushes or branches, or perhaps a low row of stones or mud bricks. Some were built next to a cave in the hills. Nothing fancy, but they were enough to contain the sheep and keep them from wandering into danger.
-Sometimes multiple flocks were penned together to provide them with more safety. The flocks would mingle, and the sheep were separated by the calls of the shepherd. The shepherd had a close relationship with the sheep of his flock. Middle Eastern flocks were typically small. Shepherds knew their sheep by name, and the sheep recognized their shepherd’s voice.
-The sheep fold had a single opening to protect against robbers and wild animals. Shepherds would become the gate to the sheep fold. They would lie in front of the opening so that nothing could enter without them knowing. These human gates provided entrance to the fold and protection from threats outside.
-When Jesus told His disciples, “I am the door,” He was making a claim both to deity (by His use of I AM), and to the fact that He was the Messiah – the one who would save His people from their sins and make a way for them to know God. So here is the main thought I’d like for you to consider today:
Prop: Jesus is the door that gives us access into a living relationship with God.
Interrogative: What can we learn about Jesus from His statement, “I Am the Door?”
TS: Let’s examine 5 truths about Jesus as the door and see how they relate to us.
I. Jesus Is the Door of Access (John 10:1-3, 6-9)
1 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. 2 "But he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep. 3 "To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
6 This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them. 7 So Jesus said to them again, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 "All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
-In the first few verses He makes the point that both shepherds and sheep must enter through the door. If a so-called shepherd tries to get in any other way, he reveals his true identity – thief!
-Then Jesus plainly reveals Himself as the door. Jesus is the way into the sheepfold. In a few weeks we will talk about another “I AM” statement: Jesus said in John 14:6, “I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” Jesus was very plain about access to the Father and entering into relationship with Him.
-The apostles never wavered from this exclusive claim: Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." People will look in other places and try to find some other way to satisfy their hunger to know their Creator, but in vain.
-The sheep only came into the fold as they allowed themselves to be inspected by the shepherd. We may talk more about this next week, but here is how one writer expresses the loving care of the Shepherd [slide]: “He has the horn filled with olive oil and he has cedar tar, and he anoints a knee bruised on the rocks or a side scratched by thorns. And here comes one that is not bruised but is simply worn and exhausted; he bathes its face and head with the refreshing olive oil and he takes the large two-handled cup and dips it brimming full from the water he has brought for that purpose, and he lets the weary sheep drink. God’s care is not for the wounded only; it is for those who are just worn and weary” (William Allen Knight: The Song of Our Syrian Guest). Psalm 23:5 “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
-When we come to Jesus, we do not face a cross-examination. We face a loving examination. He is the only way in, and He wants us to come in and be with Him.
II. Jesus Is the Door of Provision
9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
-Jehovah Jireh or Yahweh Yireh. Jesus meets our needs and sustains us. He meets our greatest need – that of forgiveness and cleansing. But He also ministers to our other needs and takes good care of us as we’ve already seen.
-The Shepherd knows that the sheep need to eat. He leads them to the right places to find the nourishment they need. Psalm 23:2-3 2 “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul.”
-Have you allowed the Shepherd to restore your soul lately? Perhaps you need to spend some time at the door, letting Him minister to you and provide what you need.
-TS: Along with provision, Jesus protects us from ourselves and from other sources of danger.
III. Jesus Is the Door of Protection
10a "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy...."
-How many of you like to feel safe? The Shepherd protects his sheep from thieves & other enemies. Apparently it was not uncommon for thieves to steal sheep on occasion. Whether it was for the meat or wool or both, it was a very real danger for mid-eastern shepherds. Notice the Shepherd protects us, but not necessarily our possessions. Why? Because sheep own nothing. They are utterly dependent upon their shepherd for food, water, rest, and other provision. He provides what we need and protects us from those who want to steal, kill, and destroy us. I am not against having possessions, as long as we remember that they really belong to the Shepherd.
-As the door to the sheep fold, the Shepherd is able to keep the sheep in, and the thieves and other predators out. Nothing can get to you without going through Jesus first! And if something unpleasant does come your way, the Shepherd knows you can handle it with the power He has given you.
-This next one is exciting to talk about.
IV. Jesus Is the Door of Life
10b "… I came that they may have life…”
-The word for life here is from the Greek word Zoe. Jesus wants us to know and share in the God-life here and now in this world. We can never become divine, but we share in His nature as Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:3-4: 3 ”His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
-Jesus the door did not come to exclude people or to condemn people, or to harm people. Jesus the Good Shepherd who is also the living door came to give life. Not just physical life, but spiritual connectedness with God who is our very source of life.
-How is life? Are you living or simply existing? Jesus offers you life – a living relationship with the One who created you. John 1 says, “In Him was life and the life was the light of men.” I urge you to go to the door and ask Him for life. He is offering the best gift you could ever have. It cost Him His own life, but He did it gladly for you.
-TS: Well, finally, what kind of life does Jesus offer?
V. Jesus Is the Door of Excess
10bc "… I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
-By excess, I do not mean excess bad stuff, but excess good stuff! Jesus is the “more than enough” God. He does not want you to just get by, He wants to lavish His love and life on you so that it will fill you completely and overflow onto somebody else.
-The word for abundant means extraordinary in amount, abundant, profuse, going beyond what is necessary. Isn’t that awesome! God doesn’t just give you enough to get by – He goes far beyond what is necessary and continues to overwhelm us with His inexhaustible grace – extraordinary, more than enough, matchless, overflowing life!!!
-Do you have it? Do you know the Shepherd who takes such good care of His flock? He wants to know you. He wants to spend some time with you, healing your wounds and restoring your soul. Will you let Him?
Conclusion: As we close, Jesus said, 9 "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
I. Jesus Is the Door of Access – the way into the sheepfold
II. Jesus Is the Door of Provision – meets needs & sustains
III. Jesus Is the Door of Protection – protects from thieves & enemies
IV. Jesus Is the Door of Life – shares the God-life with us
V. Jesus Is the Door of Excess – the “more than enough” God
-The key words in these 5 truths form the acrostic APPLE. His care for you is so great! You really are the apple of His eye. Maybe you need to be tended by the Shepherd today. The best way I know for that to happen is for you to spend some quality time with Him. Let Him meet you where you are and take care of you, pouring oil on your wounds (both outer and inner) and nourishing your spirit. He provides and protects and wants to let you in on His life – it is the life you’ve always wanted, but didn’t really know what to ask for. Would you ask Him to do the work in you that is needed for today? He is more than willing to do that.
-Pray
