“The Door and Lead to Heaven”
John 10:1-21
“‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.’” [John 10:7]
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” [John 10:11]
These are the third and fourth “I am” declarations in the Gospel of John. “I am the Bread of Life” was the first, “I am the Light of the world” the second [John 6:35 & John 8:12; 9:5, respectively]. “Before Abraham was, I AM,” was the full Deity claim in John 8:58, which was why the religious leaders wanted to stone Jesus.
In this Chapter are the two significant “I am” declarations regarding salvation. Firstly, “I am the door” means that Jesus is the way to heaven. You must go through Him. Secondly, He is the “good shepherd” that leads us through.
Later in the Upper Room Discourse, He clearly spells this out with another “I am” declaration. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” [John 14:6; the sixth “I am” declaration].
“I am the door,” and “I am the good shepherd” are emphatic [and exclusive] statements. There is no ambiguity or relativity. All roads do not lead to heaven. Only one Door and one Way leads to heaven, and they are Jesus.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…” [Hebrews 10:19-20; NIV; italics added].
When entering the Holiest of All where God dwells, one must go through the veil [“that is, his body”]. Jesus is the door for His sheep.
Secondly, He is the Good Shepherd. Salvation comes the moment you go through Jesus, but then He begins to set you apart for Himself in this life of faith.
He does this as our Good Shepherd. He is not a hireling; He lays down His life for His sheep [ref. John 10:15]. And as we receive and recognize His sacrificial love, our reasonable response is to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to Him [ref. Romans 12:1].
The Door and the Shepherd are One. Not only does Jesus lead us through to eternity; He walks us through this life as our Good Shepherd.
