I AM the Door
PART 2 VIDEO LINK – Part 1 Video opened on top
Partial outline: FULL PDF HERE
John 10:1-10
Jesus begins with a double “verily” (vs. 1, 7). When Jesus says “verily, verily,” He is indicating what He is about to say is very important (cf. John 3:3; 5:24; 6:47; 8:34, 58 etc.).
The BACKGROUND of an oriental sheepfold:
- A sheepfold was a circular enclosure surrounded by a wall several feet high.
- There was only one opening that served as the door.
- Shepherds would lead their sheep into the fold at night and leave the porter to stand guard at the door.
- In the morning each shepherd would enter the sheepfold by the porter and call out his own sheep by name.
Doctrinally, this is a “meaty” passage of Scripture. It has been interpreted several different ways. I don’t profess to understand everything in this parable. Here is the best interpretation I can give:
- It is a parable (v. 6). A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Parables emphasize one primary truth. We must beware about attaching some spiritual meaning to every detail in a parable.
- Who is Jesus speaking to? ”Verily, verily, I say unto YOU.” The antecedent to “you” are the Pharisees in John 9 who excommunicated the blind man Jesus healed. Jesus is contrasting Himself as the true Shepherd from the Pharisees, who were thieves and robbers—False shepherds.
- What is the “sheepfold” (vs. 1-2). NOT Heaven, nor the church.
- The “sheepfold” represents “Judaism,” in which some of Christ’s sheep were to be found.
- Jesus entered “the door into the sheepfold” (Judaism) in a lawful manner—Born of a virgin “under the law” (Gal. 4:4); born in the royal city—Bethlehem; Circumcised the eighth day (Luke 2:21); Presented to God in the Temple (Luke 2:22).
4. Who is “the porter” (v. 3). A “porter” was a door-keeper. John the Baptist was “the porter” who presented Jesus, the Shepherd, to Israel (John 1:31). Christ’s sheep within the sheepfold would respond when they heard His voice (v. 3-4). [Today, “the porter” would be the Holy Spirit, who draws people to Christ.]
NOTE: Christ’s ministry began inside the fold—Christ’s sheep were already WITHIN the fold, prepared and made ready by John the Baptist. The shepherd entered the sheepfold to lead them OUT (e.g. Judaism) (v. 3).
5. 3 doors are mentioned (vs.1-2,7,9).
- The “door into the sheepfold” (v. 1) is distinguished from the”door of the sheep” (v. 7).
- “The door into the sheepfold” (v. 1) was the lawful way Christ had entered the sheepfold, in contrast from the thieves and robbers who climb “up some other way.”
- “The door of the sheep” (v. 7), is Christ Himself leading His sheep out of Judaism (v. 3b). The door was a means of exit, not entrance. Jesus was the only way OUT of the laws of bondage.
6. ”I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (v. 9).
Up to this point Jesus was referring solely to Israelite sheep He leads out of Judaism. Now He reaches forth to “any man,” for salvation.
- DOOR #1 (v. 1– “The door into the sheepfold”). God’s appointed way for the shepherd to ENTER Judaism.
- DOOR #2 (v. 7). Christ is “the door of the sheep”—the means Christ’s sheep can EXIT / ESCAPE the “fold” of Judaism.
- DOOR #3 (v. 9). “The door” of salvation, for both Jew and Gentile. Jesus, “the door,” leads people out of the bondage of legalism into the abundant life (v. 10). [The context is John 9 when the blind man Jesus healed left the “fold” of Judaism (9:34) to become part of Christ’s fold (9:35-38).]
7. ”I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” To “go in and out” expresses perfect liberty. Under Judaism, there was no liberty.
The law of Moses was a wall that separated Israel from other nations. By Christ’s death, He broke down “the middle wall of partition” (Eph. 1:14-15). Now Christ’s sheep are free to “go in and out.”
Having considered the doctrinal meaning of the text, let’s focus on the central and devotional teaching of the parable in verse 9.
I. The PICTURE Jesus gives— “I am the door…”
A. The SIMPLICITY of it. 4 words /10 letters—each word adding one letter. So simple…so easy.
Not a door or vault with puzzling locks and complicated combinations.
Doors are among the most common things in the world. I passed through over a dozen doors before standing before you this morning. Everyone one who is here came in by a door. When you leave, you’ll exit through a door.
B. The SINGLENESS of it— “THE door,” not “a” door. Jesus is not one of several doors. He is the ONE door. Jesus said, “by ME…”
1. One door in the ark for both the GIRAFFE and the mouse!
2. One door in the tabernacle / temple.
3. One mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 1:5).
4. One Savior—Besides Me there is none else (Isa.45:21-22).
5. One name given — the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12).
6. One sacrifice offered — The blood of Christ (Heb. 10:12).
7. One Gospel preached — The gospel of Jesus Christ.
8. One foundation that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Chorus: ONE DOOR
One door, and only one; and Yet it’s sides are two.
Inside and outside; On which side are you?
One door, and only one; and Yet it’s sides are two.
I am on the inside; On which side are YOU?
II. The PERSON Jesus is— “I am…by ME…”
Partial outline: FULL PDF HERE
