Doors are everywhere. I bet that if you looked up right now, you would probably see at least one door (if not many more) in your proximity. Doors are meant to keep something in or keep something out. But what did Jesus mean when he said “I am the door”?

What are some things you try to “keep in” with a door?
What are some things you try to “keep out” with a door?

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. 7 So Jesus again said to them, “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 listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. —John 10:1-9 (ESV)

Why would someone not use the door?

People will always want to get in to the sheep fold by their own methods… they want to find their own way, on their own terms… and not by Jesus. For those kinds of folks, Jesus says this.

 Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ —Luke 13:24-25 (NIV)

What is Jesus saying in this passage?

In John 10, Jesus says there are thieves, robbers, and even false shepherds. So, how do we defend ourselves from being led astray?

1. Know the voice of Jesus.
How do we do know His voice?

2. Stay in the sheep pen.
What does this mean?

In Matthew 27, we find another door.

Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. —Matthew 27:59-60 (NLT)

The word “entrance” is the same word for “door” in John 10. Jesus was buried in a tomb. The rock was rolled across the DOOR of the grave and Jesus’ body was surrendered to death. But Jesus opened the door of the grave, not just for himself, but for all who follow him.

Jesus opened the door out of death into life. In other words, in Jesus, you are never trapped. You are never stuck… Because Jesus is the door, there is always a way out.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. —1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)

What doors in life have you closed that your should probably open?
What areas of life do you feel trapped and need Jesus to reveal the door for you?