97. Be Saved
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The shepherd lies at the door of the sheepfold to let the sheep in and keep the wolf out. The fence keeps out the wolf, but the gate is the vulnerable spot where the wolf or the thief can enter to steal and kill and destroy the sheep. Jesus Himself promises to position Himself at our weak spot; if we go through Him we shall enter into the safe place and be saved. From that safe pace we may safely go in and out, graze in the pasture under the Shepherd’s watchful eye during the day and sleep safely in the fold at night.
The metaphor of the Door is a visual symbol that everyone in Jesus’ day will have no trouble understanding and making the application. Even those of us who don’t experience shepherding can understand the picture and how to apply it to our own life. Wherever we go and whatever we do, day or night, we may feel safe and secure from the Devil’s prowling about like a roaring lion.
The condition: if you enter in through the door (believe in Jesus); the promise: then you shall be saved and find pasture. The believer is saved from the Enemies and he is protected behind the Door; the Door delivers from Evil. The believer also goes in and out through the door and finds pasture. While he grazes and relaxes on the verdant pastures the shepherd is constantly, all day long, watching and guarding. We who believe can confidently and securely work and play in pleasant places trusting that the Shepherd is always with us; His goodness and mercy follows us all the days of our life and we will dwell in His house forever. Oh, how we love the Door!