I AM THE DOOR

Newsletter 194 - May 22, 2010

Bob Mills

Last week we considered one of the metaphors used by Jesus of himself. He called himself, the Bread of Life. We began with Moses who questioned how he could identify the authority behind him. In reference to the fact that God is Spirit and has always been; the source of all that we see and handle, he was told to say that “I Am” has sent me. God was, and is, and always will be. This is a concept that the Children of Israel, and all men, will never In this life really be able to completely understand.

Today, we have another “I Am.” This time, he says, “I am the door;” specifically, the door of a sheepfold, bringing into play a third I AM thought. “I am the good shepherd.”

John 10:1-10 (King James Version)

A THIEF AND ROBBER OFTEN IGNORES THE DOOR

Instead, he looks for someplace else, perhaps an open window or a back door that is hidden from the view of watchful neighbors. The normal entrance is often well defined, and very visible, perhaps even well lighted. I always considered the back door of our home to be very weak in that it contained small glass panes only inches from both the lock and the bolt. The only thing that really saved it was that it faced the entrance and overlooking windows of the neighboring house very near by. Their porch light also lighted it very well.

JESUS USED THE ENTRAN CE OF THE SHEEPFOLD TO SAY:

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (John 10:8)

THE GOOD SHEPHERD USES THE DOOR

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. (Jojn 10:11)

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (John 10:4, John 10:16, John 10:27, John 10:9)

The porter, in the parable is the night watchman who has been stationed at the only entrance. He knows all the shepherds who have brought their small flocks there for the night, just as the sheep within know the voice of their trusted shepherd. In the morning the shepherd, standing aside will call his sheep out of the fold, and they with come to him.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. (John 10:5, John 10:16, John 10:27)

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. (John 10:4, John 10:16, John 10:27)

6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. (John 16:25, John 16:29, 2 Peter 2:22)

Added to this intriduction, Jesus carries the parable one more step.:

7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (John 10:1, John 10:9)

8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. (Jeremiah 23:1, Ezekiel 34:2, John 10:1)

THE ONLY DOOR LEADING TO SALVATION

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. (John 10:1, John 10:9)

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 5:40)

NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

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RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2010


MAY

23rd. Sunday – 1 Samuel 17, John 14, Psalm 66:11-20

24th. Monday – 1 Samuel 18, 19, John 15, Proverbs 13:1-12

25th. Tuesday – 1 Samuel 20, John 16, Psalm 67

26th. Wednesday -- 1 Samuel 21, 22, John 17, Psalm 68:1-6

27th. Thursday – 1 Samuel 23, 24, John 18, Psalm 68:7-13

28th. Friday - 1 Samuel 25, John 19:1-22, Proverbs 13:13-25

29th. Saturday – 1 Samuel 26, 27, John 23-42, Psalm 68:14-19

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“And, other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I bring, and they will hear My voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd.”
John 10:16

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Free Kisses...

A gas station owner in Mississippi was trying to increase his sales, so he put up a sign that read, "Free Kisses with Fill-Up."

Soon a local redneck pulled in, filled his tank and asked for his free kisses. The owner told him to pick a number from 1 to 10. If he guessed correctly he would get his free kisses. The redneck guessed 8, and the proprietor said, "You were close. The number was 7.... sorry, no kisses this time."

A week later, the same redneck, along with a buddy, Bubba, pulled in for another fill-up. Again he asked for his free kisses. The proprietor again asked him to guess the correct number. The redneck guessed 2 this time. The proprietor said, "Sorry, it was 3. You were close, but no free kisses this time."

As they were driving away, the redneck said to his buddy, "I think that game is rigged and he doesn't really give away free kisses." Bubba replied, " No it ain't, Billy Ray. It ain't rigged. My wife won twice last week.