Jesus Is The Door

     The Bible gives many beautiful pictures of Jesus. None is more loved than "Jesus, the Good Shepherd." Jesus is that Good Shepherd who will leave 99 safe sheep to go rescue one sheep which was straying. "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?" (Matthew 18:12) Jesus has pity on people when they are scattered as sheep without a shepherd. "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36) His disciples are His little flock. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12:32) The sheep recognize the voice of the shepherd and follow Him. (John 10:1-6) The Jews did not understand the story of the Good Shepherd until Jesus applied it to Himself. He began His explanation by saying, "I am the door of the sheep." (John 10:7) In the open fields the Judean shepherd would house his sheep in a hillside sheepfold. These would be spaces enclosed by a wall. There would only be one way in or out. The shepherd would sleep in that space literally becoming the door. Jesus had spoken of the shepherd and sheep and then He said, "I am the door." Jesus is the door to many things. Let us learn more:

     Jesus is the door to salvation. If anyone desires to serve God and enjoy salvation there is only one. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) The one way to salvation is Jesus Christ. God has not given a number of ways so that man may pick the one he likes best. God sent His Son to make His one way known to man. Near the close of His earthly ministry Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) All who would enjoy the blessing of salvation must get into Christ now. To be in Christ is to be in His body. It is in the body that we are reconciled to God and saved from sin. Christ died that He might "Reconcile them both (Jew and Gentile) to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity." (Ephesians 2:16) Men and women are baptized into the one body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13) According to the Bible, the only way to heaven is through the body of Christ, which is His church. (Colossians 1:18) To become a Christian, you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Matthew 16:16), and be baptized into Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27) This is the Bible way to obtain salvation. There is no other way to be at peace with God and man.

     Jesus is the door to peace. There is an emptiness inside everyone which cannot be filled with material things, drugs, alcohol, and pleasure or anything but Jesus. People are searching for peace and Jesus is the door to peace. He said, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) If you want the peace of God you must be willing for Jesus to come in and rule your life. Mankind must learn that, "the key to real joy is for God to rule my life." The only way to true peace of mind is submission to the will of God. Paul wrote, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) Let us allow the peace of God to rule our heart. "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." (Colossians 3:15) True peace comes only through Jesus, the door.

     Jesus is the door to happiness. True happiness is in Christ. Those who serve God faithfully will have happiness here and hereafter. Hear the words of Matthew 25:21, "His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." Christian people should be happy people. Paul writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4) Those who surrender to the will of Christ revealed in the New Testament find true happiness through Jesus, the Door.

     Jesus is the door to rest. In Matthew 11:28-30 we find what is often referred to as "the Great Invitation." "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." From this powerful section of scripture we find that Jesus is the door to rest. The promise of rest is not unconditional. It is based upon our coming to Jesus. Those who serve faithfully will have rest now and eternal rest at the end of their labors. John wrote, "Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. 'Yes,' says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." (Revelation 14:13) Rest belongs to those who live in the Lord and who die in Him.

     Jesus is the door to a spiritual feast. A great spiritual feast has been prepared by the Lord. The invitation has been sent out saying, "Come for all things are now ready." (Luke 14:17) Come to have all your sins forgiven. Come to enjoy spiritual blessings in Christ. Allow Christ to come into your life so you can enjoy this feast. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." (Revelation 3:20) Jesus is the door to everything spiritual and to everything that is good!

     Jesus is the door to heaven. How beautiful and wonderful heaven will be. Jesus promised, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." (John 14:1-2.) Some modern translations say, "In my Father’s house are many rooms." But I am not looking for a room I am looking for a mansion. Jesus is the door to heaven. It is through Him that we must enter to have the blessings and joys prepared for those who love God.

     To get into Christ a person must hear the gospel (John 6:44-45), believe in Jesus as the Christ (Hebrews 11:6), repent of sins (Luke 13:3), confess faith in Jesus (Matthew 10:32-33), and be baptized to be saved (1 Peter 3:21). Once in Christ a person must continue faithful. (1 Corinthians 15:58) Have you entered through Jesus, the door? Are you in Christ?

By Charles Box, Walnut Street Church of Christ, 306 Walnut Street,

Greenville, Alabama 36037