I am the door of the sheep

Today’s passage begins with Jesus’ proclamation that he is “the door of the sheep.”

“The” points to his uniqueness as the only door of the sheep, a claim we will discuss in a moment. For now, let’s get his image clearly in our minds.

In the field, sheep were collected into hillside sheepfolds, open spaces enclosed by three walls like a triangle but open on one end. When the sheep were inside, the shepherd would lie across the opening and serve as the “door” of the sheep.

In the same way, our Lord describes himself as “the” door of the sheep. The only door. He adds: “All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them” (v. 8).

The brilliant New Testament scholar D. A. Carson notes: “The world still seeks its humanistic, political saviors.” Too late do we realize any alternative savior will only “kill, steal, and destroy” (The Pillar New Testament Commentary).

By contrast, Jesus asserts, “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (v. 9).

His promise is unconditional: Anyone who trusts him as their Lord “will be saved” and will find divine provision. Jesus claims to be the only door the sheep can use to find eternal and abundant life. Everyone who comes through his door will find such life, but only those who make this pivotal decision for their souls.

Peter would later proclaim, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Paul stated, “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

What is the logic behind Jesus’ claim to be the only door for the sheep, the only way to heaven?

Scripture declares, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

With all due respect to other world leaders, none of them claimed to die for those they served. The reason is simple: none of them were sinless. And only a sinless sacrifice could pay for our sins without needing to pay for his own.

Ask yourself: Do you look to other leaders or idols for salvation?

When things seem hopeless, do you put your trust in Jesus or other saviors?

Only Christ is worth following with everything we have, for he is the only real way to salvation; all others fail miserably.

Pray that you will have a renewed conviction to follow him as the only savior.