Wednesday, January 9, 2008

The Door

“I assure you: I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7 CSB)

Shepherds in the days of Jesus had some interesting practices. For safety reasons several shepherds would bring their flocks to join the other flocks. This made it easier for the shepherds to take turns watching the sheep, to ward of wolves. That would seem to get confusing for the sheep, but not really. Each shepherd had his own song. Each morning the shepherds would arrive at the sheep pen, and each in turn would sing his song before the sheep and start walking. The sheep who belonged to that shepherd recognized his voice and his song, and they all would follow him to the pasture. The sheep who did not recognize his song would not follow but would stay put until they heard their shepherd’s song.

In many instances a sheep pen was a cave the sheep were herded into. Very often, a shepherd would literally sleep in the doorway of the pen to keep the sheep in so they would not wander off and be killed and also to ward off the wolves if they came. The shepherd actually became the door to the sheep pen.

This is what Jesus is alluding to when He says that He is the door of the sheep. He is the only way into the sheepfold. He later said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” The meaning is the same.

Jesus and only Jesus is the way to the kingdom of God. There is no other way, no other means. We live in a world that likes what is called “pluralism,” which says there are many ways that all lead to the same place. The teaching of the Bible is not that at all. The Bible teaches us that there is only one Way, and Jesus is that way. Peter, preaching on the Day of Pentecost, said, “There is no other name given among men by which we may be saved.” He was speaking of Jesus.

Jesus is the Door.

Lord, We recognize the truth that is expressed in Your word. We ask You to use this reminder to help us to remember to be faithful in our witness to this world. Amen.

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