178. The Door.

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 10:9.

OUR Lord sets himself forth very condescendingly.

The most sublime and poetical figures are none too glorious to describe him; but he chooses homely ones, which the most prosaic minds can apprehend. A door is a common object. Jesus would have us often think of him.

A door makes a very simple emblem. Jesus would have the lowliest know him, and use him.

A door to a sheepfold is the poorest form of door. Jesus condescends to be anything, so that he may serve and save his people.

I. THE DOOR. In this homely illustration we see—

1. Necessity. Suppose there had been none, we could never have entered in to God, peace, truth, salvation, purity, or heaven.

2. Singularity. There is only one door; let us not weary ourselves to find another. Salvation is by entrance at that door, and at none other (Acts 4:12). —

3. Personality. The Lord Jesus is himself the door. "I am the door," saith he; not ceremonies, doctrines, professions, achievements, but the Lord himself, our Sacrifice.

4. Suitability. He is suited to be the communication between man and God, seeing he unites both in his own person, and thus lies open both earthward and heavenward (1 Tim. 2:5).

5. Perpetuity. His "I am" is for all times and ages (Matt. 28:20). We can still come to the Father by him (John 14:6; Heb. 7:25).

II. THE USERS OF IT.

1. They are not mere observers, or knockers at the door, or sitters down before it, or guards marching to and fro in front of it.

· But they enter in by faith, love, experience, communion. >2. They are not certain persons who have special qualifications, such as those of race, rank, education, office, or wealth. Not lords and ladies are spoken of; but "any man."

3. They are persons who have the one qualification: they do "enter in." The person is "any man," but the essential distinction is entrance.

This is intended to exclude ---

· Character previously acquired as a fitness for entrance.

· Feeling, either of grief or joy! as a preparation for admission.

· Action, otherwise than that of entering in, as a term of reception.

A door may be marked PRIVATE, and then few will enter.

A door which is conspicuously marked as THE DOOR is evidently meant to be used. The remarkable advertisement of" I am the door," and the special promises appended to it, are the most liberal invitation imaginable.

Come then, ye who long to enter into life!

III. THE PRIVILEGES OF THESE USERS.

They belong to all who enter: no exception is made.

1. Salvation. "He shall be saved." At once, forever, altogether.

2. Liberty. He "shall go in and out. " This is no prison door, but a door for a flock whose Shepherd gives freedom.

3. Access. "Shall go in" — for pleading, hiding, fellowship, instruction, enjoyment.

4. Egress. "He shall go out" — for service, progress, etc.

5. Nourishment. "And find pasture." Our spiritual food is found through Christ, in Christ, and around Christ.

Let us enter: a door is easy of access; we shall not have to climb over some lofty wall.

Let us enter: it is a door for sheep, who have no wisdom.

Let us enter: the door is Jesus; we need not fear to draw nigh to him, for he is meek and lowly in heart.