BIBLE TEACHINGS

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by Whitney V. Myers
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Go to the page, "Bible Verses - 'I AM's of Christ" (under the "Resources" heading)
Photo source: FreeBibleImages.org
Permanent Sheepfold Enclosure - Holy Land. Photo Copyright David Padfield. Used under license. Permanent sheepfolds were built on the sunny side of valleys where there is protection from cold winds. These had stone walls, 4-5ft high and one entrance guarded by the shepherd. Thorns were often put on the top of walls to deter wild animals. Jesus referred to such a sheepfold and to thieves and robbers climbing over the wall (John 10:1-3).

Permanent Sheepfold Enclosure - Holy Land. Photo Copyright David Padfield. Used under license. Permanent sheepfolds were built on the sunny side of valleys where there is protection from cold winds. These had stone walls, 4-5ft high and one entrance guarded by the shepherd. Thorns were often put on the top of walls to deter wild animals. Jesus referred to such a sheepfold and to thieves and robbers climbing over the wall (John 10:1-3).

"So Jesus said to them again, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.' " (John 10:7, Ref. 1)

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:9)

"Christ is the Door.  And what greater security has the church of God than that the Lord Jesus is between it and all its enemies? ... Here are plain directions how to come into the fold; we must come in by Jesus Christ as the Door." -- Matthew Henry (Ref. 2)

This lesson is the third in a series on the "I AM" statements of Christ.  This lesson discusses Jesus' "I am the door" statements in John 10:7 and John 10:9.    

     Consider.  Have you entered into the church of God by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ?  Are you experiencing spiritual nourishment in Christ?

"If anyone enters through Me" - John 10:9

     We enter the sheepfold, the church of God, through Jesus Christ (and only through Jesus Christ).  Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:7).  We enter that door when we place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  "As the only proper way of entering the fold was by the door, so the only way of entering the church of God is by believing on him and obeying his commandments" (Ref. 3). 

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6).

"He will be saved"

     Once we have entered the door by faith and trust in Jesus Christ, we are saved.  Jesus delivers us from perils such as ravenous wolves and false shepherds (Ref. 4, John 10:1-2).  Jesus frees us from the power, guilt, and penalty of sin (Romans 8:1-2, Ephesians 2:1-9).  Jesus gives us eternal security.  Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27-28).

HELPS Word-Studies defines saved as rescued from destruction and brought into divine safety (Ref. 5).

"And will go in and out and find pasture"

     To go "in and out" is the common Old Testament expression to denote free activity of daily life (Ref. 6).  When Moses charged the Israelites at Mount Gerizim to obey the Lord, he said, "Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out" (Deuteronomy 28:6, Deuteronomy 27:11-12, Deuteronomy 28:1-2).  David wrote about the Lord, the Keeper of Israel (Psalm 121:5).  David said, "The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever" (Psalm 121:8).

Through Jesus (because he is the door), we have security for our daily needs and nourishment for our souls.  Under the care of Jesus, we find pasture - food for our souls (Ref. 7).  David wrote, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters" (Psalm 23:1-2 KJV).

    Apply.  Have you entered the sheepfold of Christ by believing in him?  If not, then put your faith and trust in him today.  Are you spending time with Jesus daily to receive spiritual nourishment?  How can you improve in this area?

3 Comments
Van - 7 years ago
Love the picture of the sheep pen!
Ronald K Reuse - 7 years ago
Most of us are so far removed from the farming lifestyle that we may have trouble understanding the depth with which the shepard cared for the sheep. It could be a lonely dangerious job. If a shepard was really caring for the sheep he could be with them all night and sometimes all day. You lived with them. Got to know them. You wanted all of them to survive.
That's why Jesus used this story. The people understood what it was like to take care of animals. For some it was more than a job.
Mr. Whitney V. Myers - 7 years ago
Thank you, Ron, for your insight.
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