John 10 begins with a parable spoken by the Lord Jesus to a number of hostile Pharisees. As was often the case the deeper and spiritual meaning of this parable was hidden from these men. The Lord\u2019s purpose was twofold. He intended, first, to expose false teachers and condemn unapproved leaders who trouble His church. Second, He wished to explain His own God-given credentials as Mediator of the everlasting covenant and Shepherd of the flock of God which had been placed into His hands for safekeeping and salvation.<\/p>\n
The Lord our Shepherd<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n
In His parable the Lord employs the image of sheep in a sheepfold to represent God\u2019s elect people, the true church. He also speaks of a door, a porter and a good shepherd who cares for the flock. Then He speaks of thieves and robbers, hireling shepherds and destructive wolves. He is teaching the church of His own saving role within the covenant of grace. Christ is the Door of the sheepfold by whom the sheep enter in. He alone enables access into the church of God on earth. He is the gate-keeper by whom under-shepherds or ministers are approved. He is the Good Shepherd who \u2018giveth his life for the sheep\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The \u2018I am\u2019 sayings<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n Because we are specifically considering the \u2018I am\u2019 sayings of the Lord Jesus as recorded in John\u2019s gospel we shall dwell tomorrow on Christ\u2019s saying \u2018I am the door\u2019 and \u2018I am the door of the sheep\u2019. These sayings express the uniqueness of the Lord Jesus as the appointed and authorised means of access into the church, the company of God\u2019s people upon earth. A door when it is open provides a means of entrance. When it is closed it is a barrier against entry. A door protects those who are secure within and resists those who have no right to enter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I am the door<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n The Lord Jesus calls Himself the Door and then the Door of the sheep. Again, we note the Lord\u2019s commanding and authoritative language. He and He alone is the entrance to spiritual life. This singular role is His by divine appointment and He carries the burden of responsibility. In the everlasting covenant of grace God\u2019s chosen people were committed into Christ\u2019s hands for salvation so that He can say, \u2018by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved\u2019. He is the Door of access by which we enter into spiritual, eternal life.<\/p>\n Accomplished and applied<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n Not only is eternal life God\u2019s gift but the method by which it is secured was ordained by God in covenant agreement to demonstrate His holiness, justice and love. In God\u2019s gracious purpose the gift of eternal life was obtained by the sacrifice and death of His Son. Christ was first appointed as Redeemer in the covenant of peace, then sent into the world to this end. The Lord Jesus could say, \u2018I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly\u2019 and, like a door in a sheepfold, the Lord protects and preserves His people by placing Himself between His own little flock and their enemies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A familiar picture<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n When the Lord employed this imagery it would have resonated with His audience. Sheep-rearing and shepherding was a familiar activity in Palestine and, as we have seen, the Lord was adept in using common symbols to convey divine truth. Prophetically the Lord\u2019s people have often been called God\u2019s sheep, His flock and the flock of His pasture. In Psalm 23 David calls the Lord \u2018my shepherd\u2019 and himself a sheep led forth to green pastures. Many of the prophets echo this sentiment and refer to God\u2019s ministers as guardians and under-shepherds of the Lord\u2019s flock.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thieves, robbers, wolves<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n Yet, as with the Pharisees of the Lord\u2019s day, there have always been those who seek to trouble the church and disturb the peace of Christ\u2019s flock. The Lord Jesus has silenced the accusations of the law of God and pacified the justice and anger of God against our sin, nevertheless, other enemies remain. Satan and his angels present themselves as angels of light to deceive the church. False teachers with false doctrine are like wolves who dress in sheep\u2019s clothing to infiltrate the flock and tear and scatter the sheep.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A strong Door<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n Behind the Door, secure in the fold, the Lord\u2019s little ones stay safe. Led by Him we \u2018go in and out, and find pasture\u2019. We are fed with spiritual blessings and built up in our faith by the gospel of free and sovereign grace. We are nourished by the Saviour who knows our need, directs our path and leads us by His Spirit into all truth. Christ is the Door of the sheep for our safety, security, protection and prosperity. When we live in His shadow we are shielded by His strength.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Amen.<\/p>\n