"I Am the Door"
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
At the turn of the last century, Sir George Adam Smith, a prominent British visitor to the Syrian hills, watched with fascination one evening as shepherds drove their sheep into the sheepfold.
He noticed that the fold was no more than a simple, four-wall enclosure with only one opening—no door and no gate. He asked the shepherd: "How can you ensure the sheep will not wander off at night? And what about the wild beasts—will they not come and attack these helpless sheep?"
"No," was the shepherd's reply, "because I am the one whose body blocks the opening at night. I lie down across this opening; no sheep can get out without going over me, and no thief or wolf can get in except over my body."
In John 10, Jesus says:
I am the gate for the sheep. ... Whoever enters through me will be saved. ... The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:7, 9-10).
Only Jesus can save you from sin. Nobody opens heaven's door except the One who is the door, Christ Jesus. The moment a person prays the following prayer, Jesus opens heaven's door: "Lord, You are the Son of God. In You and You alone, I find eternal security. To You and You alone, I surrender my life. I repent of my sins. Please forgive me."
There is no discrimination—no one is refused. Our loving heavenly Father will welcome us with words of love and acceptance: "Come right in. I have been waiting for you, and I am so glad you have come."
Prayer: Lord, thank You for being my eternal security. Thank You for Your love, acceptance, guidance and protection. Please forgive my sins and lead me in Your ways. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in ... and find pasture" (John 10:9).
