I Am The Door Of The Sheep
While the shepherd filled that doorway, thieves and predators could not get in and the sheep could not wander off. He became their door.
I Am the Door of the Sheep
In John 10, Jesus describes Himself as “The Door.”
John 10:7
“So Jesus said to them again, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, I Am the Door of the Sheep.’”
What in the world is He talking about? The idea of God referring of His people as sheep is actually a very beautiful picture of God’s love for us. As we pointed out yesterday, sheep need a shepherd.
In the book of Ezekiel, God talked about the leaders of the people in those terms. But, the leaders were corrupt and only thought of themselves. Ezekiel issued a scathing denunciation of them, accusing them of selfishness, corruption, neglect and greed.
Take three minutes and read Ezekiel 34. It is well worth it and you have to understand Ezekiel 34 if you want to understand John 10. God made a promise to His people that one day, He would give them a Good Shepherd. That Shepherd would guard them and protect them. He would guide them and be a Shepherd who could be trusted and who would care for them.
Sheep are cared for by providing them with food and protection and a safe place away from thieves and predators. This safe place is made secure by having a door that works. That door is not made of wood. In the ancient world, the shepherd would bring the sheep in from the pasture and put them in the fold and then the shepherd would sleep in the doorway.
While the shepherd filled that doorway, thieves and predators could not get in and the sheep could not wander off. He became their door.
The Good Shepherd is The Door. That is what John 10 is all about. Jesus is not just claiming to be a door for the sheep—He is saying that He is THE DOOR. He is the One that God promised. He came to put an end to the corrupt, selfish and greedy leaders and to give us protection from them.
When Jesus called Himself the Door of the Sheep, He was saying that He was willing to put His own life on the line to keep His sheep safe. That is why John 10 rises as one of the most powerful statements of God’s love.
John 10:15
“...I lay down My life for the sheep.”
