John 10:7 (NKJV): ..."I (Jesus) am the door of the sheep."
The I AM WHO I AM is the door of the sheep! You see, the Bible never says He is 'like a door'. The Bible says He IS the door!
The word 'door' here is 'thura' in Greek, which means 'opening, entrance way, gate, portal'. If you look at Exodus 12:23, the lamb's (a 'picture' of Jesus) blood was sprinkled on the door during the first Passover, covering and protecting God's people from harm. Today, this 'door' of yours is also a 'blood-sprinkled door'! Remember, He IS the door, and He paid it with His life! His blood was shed for you on the cross!
Jesus is not just your Shepherd (John 10:11, Psalm 23), but He is also your 'door'! In Jesus' days, there were actually no physical 'doors' at the entrance to the sheepfold. So, a shepherd would normally BE the 'door' instead, holding his shepherd's stick at the 'entrance', guarding and protecting the sheep from whatever harm or predators. So, as His beloved 'sheep' today, you can now freely enjoy all the goodness of His 'green pastures', knowing that your Good Shepherd IS always 'the' door!
Whatever 'door' you've been trusting God for, whether in finding life-partner, in ministry, in preaching the gospel, in business, in career, in job-openings, even in investments, look to Jesus, your 'door'! In fact, He is the 'open door'! When Jesus died for you at the cross, His arms were stretched out and opened. Yes, He is more than willing to open His arms for you today! HE IS the 'OPEN DOOR'! And He has already overcome the power of darkness (that steals, kills, & destroys) for you at the cross! And the best thing is 'the door He has opened, no man can shut' (Revelation 3:8). Paul himself in 2 Corinthians 2:12 acknowledged that the 'door' he walked through was 'opened by the Lord'.
You may ask, "Pastor, I've been waiting for my 'door'! How much longer should I wait?"
If your 'open door' hasn't come yet, or being delayed, don't lose heart. Keep looking to Jesus your 'door', even in the most impossible of situations. He will neither leave you forsaken nor forgotten. This is His promise and assurance for you (Hebrews 13:5). Acts 16:26 is an example. Paul and Silas were facing a 'dead-end' road at that time. Destiny seemed to be shut on them. They ended up in a prison instead of their 'destiny'. Read Acts 16:16-40 for the whole story. But God did somehow open a way. Suddenly, there was an earthquake, and the prison 'doors' were opened, miraculously! By the way, this word 'door' in Acts 16:26 is the same word 'thura' as in John 10:7 and Revelation 3:8.
Instead of looking to man, organization, or institution, look to Jesus, your true 'door'. He will put you in the 'rightful place', and even if you thought you have reached a 'dead-end' road, He will still open a new way for you!
Now, the 'door' from Him may not be what you thought it should be. But God's ways are always higher than your ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). God's 'door' is always the best. He knows and has the real 'door' for you. And of course, His timing is also the best! What seems best to man may not be God's best for you. He doesn't see the way human sees. As a beloved of God, know that He has reserved the 'best' for you! He will even (pleasantly) surprise you in ways you've never thought of! I've experienced this myself time and again! Keep beholding Him!
In fact, you don't have to strive hard or struggle hard for your 'doors' (or try to 'prise' hard, or make things happen by your own human strength). When God opens a 'door', it's restful and easy. Because it's not you, but God who opens the 'door'. All you need is to 'walk through it'!
Continue to rest and trust in Him, your 'door'. Amen!
