THE SUMMER SUN was setting 1 in the western sky and filling the beautiful landscape with its golden beams. A gentleman stood near the top of one of his native hills watching a shepherd place some sheep in a fold. A great sorrow had entered into his life, having lost his devoted wife through death, and this darkened his hopes of both the present and the future. He was well educated, but his learning had failed to bring him the comfort necessary for the hour of trial. He was truly “without God and without hope.”
At his side stood his eldest daughter. A few years before she had come under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and by faith she accepted Christ Jesus as her Saviour and Lord. She longed to see her father really happy.
As they stood side by side, watching the shepherd and his flock, a wayward sheep, after a good deal of coaxing and vain efforts to escape, at last walked through the door and into the fold. The scene had doubtless brought to the young lady’s mind the familiar picture of John 10:99I 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), and the words of the Lord Jesus: “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Turning around to her father, she laid her hand on his shoulder and said, “That’s all you need to do, Daddy, only enter in.”
The Spirit of God used this simple message, and there on that hillside the father saw that the work of salvation was complete in Christ Jesus. Entering in by faith he was saved (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)).
What his learning and own efforts had failed to secure for him he received in a moment when as a lost sheep he entered through the Door, Christ Jesus. Unspeakable joy filled his once darkened soul.
Salvation is so simple now that Jesus has died so that you in the same way might know the joy of sins forgiven. “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Rom. 4:55But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5).
Salvation is not “to do the best you can and look for mercy.” It is simply to rest upon the best which is already done, and trust the Lord Jesus Christ who accomplished it, to obey His invitation and enter into it at the open door. Enter now and be saved, and be welcomed by the Chief Shepherd, the Saviour Himself.
ML-12/17/1972