I am the Door

John 10:9 ESV,
I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus referred to Himself as “I am the Door”, which is one of the seven “I am” statements. The original Greek word for “door” has a deeper meaning of being a portal, similar to those depicted in popular culture films that lead to different dimensions. Therefore, when Jesus says He is the Door, it implies that through Him, we can access a new dimension or state, a season filled with His provisions. It’s not just about finding a different living space but experiencing a complete transformation in our lives.

In John 10:9, Jesus declared, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” This means that if we enter through Jesus, we will receive salvation, protection, solutions, and provisions. Moreover, as we go in and out through Him, we will find pastures or grasslands, which signify an abundant supply of provision and everything we need. It’s fascinating to consider the depth of His promise.

Before Jesus spoke about being the door in verse 9 of John 10, He had already established himself as the Good Shepherd in the chapter. He emphasized that He is the True Shepherd of His people, and as such, He enters through the door of the sheepfold, unlike thieves and robbers who sneak in through other ways. A doorkeeper must open the gate for the Shepherd, and the sheep recognize the voice of their Shepherd and follow Him. Jesus also noted that the sheep will not follow a stranger’s voice that they don’t know. These details in the preceding verses illustrate Jesus’ role as the Good Shepherd and the importance of His sheep following His voice. Although verse 9 speaks about finding pasture by entering through Jesus, the context of the chapter emphasizes the significance of following Jesus as the True Shepherd.

Before revealing Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11, Jesus first introduced Himself as the Door, Gate, or Portal to a new dimension of blessings and divine provisions, as opposed to curses and lack. Through Him, we can receive salvation, which entails being helped, released, or protected in various ways, including healing, restoration, and wholeness. Moreover, Jesus came so that His sheep might have life abundantly, not just when they need it, but as a progressive blessing that continues to increase over time.

As the Door, Jesus serves as an entry point for both shepherds to enter the sheepfold and for the sheep to go out and follow the Shepherd. The door has two conditions: open or closed, which is also mentioned in Revelation 3:7 when Jesus speaks to the angel of the church at Philadelphia:

The words of the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. So He is not only the Door in John 10:9, but He is also the One who holds the key of David in Revelation 3:7.

When God opens a door, it cannot be shut by anyone or anything, regardless of the conditions or circumstances. Therefore, there is no need to fear because even death was defeated by Him on the cross, let alone any human attempts to close the door that He has opened.

On the other hand, if God has closed a door, it is not wise to try to reopen it or force it open. What God has closed cannot be reopened by anyone. It is important to understand that when God wants to give us a new beginning or season, He often starts by closing a previously open door. We should be grateful for this situation because a closed door is an opportunity to surrender to His guidance and find the right door that He has opened for us. Instead of despairing, we should trust that a closed door usually means that God is leading us to the right one. It is essential to remember that we should pray not only for a door to open but also for the right door to open for us, which is more important.

The popular prayer verse, Matthew 7:7, includes a final instruction to “knock, and the door will be opened to you.” This reminds us that prayer is like knocking on a door and waiting patiently for it to open, rather than aggressively trying to force it open. Those who are mature in their faith understand the value of waiting for God’s timing, rather than impatiently demanding immediate results. It is only those who resist growth and remain childish who lack the patience to wait for the right time.

The measure of waiting is not determined by the length of time one waits, but by how one conducts themselves during the waiting period. This is the mark of a mature person in God. Those who maintain a grateful and joyful heart during the waiting process allow the peace of God to reign in their hearts and minds. According to Hebrews 4:3, whoever believes, enter into a period of rest. They do not become anxious while waiting for their promises to be fulfilled because they know with certainty that God will fulfill His promises at a better time.

Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Joshua are all examples from the Bible of how God intentionally takes a long time to prepare His servants for extraordinary use. Abraham waited for 25 years for Isaac’s birth, Joseph waited 13 years before becoming Prime Minister of Egypt, and he was still in Pharaoh’s dungeon before his appointment the night before. Moses thought he was ready to lead his people at 40 years old but instead had to spend another 40 years in Midian before God’s true calling came to him. Joshua served as Moses’ assistant for 40 years before leading the Israelites to Canaan. Waiting for God’s timing is a common theme in the Bible, and those who trust in Him find peace and rest even in the midst of waiting. Jesus Himself waited for 30 years before beginning His 3.5-year ministry as the Savior of mankind.

Isaiah 40:31 said,
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

This verse is popular among many of us. But do we also know that God is also waiting for the time to show His mercy to us?

Isaiah 30:18 said,
Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.

He is the Door, He is also holding the key of David. Wait for Him, and when He opens the door, do not hesitate, do not be afraid. Hurry in and find the meadow as we go in and out.

John 10:7-10,
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the Door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Amen.