I AM the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture." What a wonderful fullness there is in this but one verse of Holy Scripture!
They are the words of the Lord Jesus. Let us consider for a moment what it is that Jesus says.
“I AM THE DOOR." We all understand what is meant by a "door." It is the only legitimate way of entrance. And the Lord Jesus here presents Himself as the only way of entrance into blessing for any soul that is anxious to receive the boon.
In the first verse of this chapter we have “the door” into the (Jewish) sheepfold, and we are told (ver. 2) that the one who enters by that door is “the shepherd of the sheep," Jesus Himself, who goes in to lead out the sheep that were in "this fold.”
“I am the good shepherd the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep," and the sheep are His. By that door which leads into the sheepfold you are not invited to enter. He has entered there and has led out the sheep that were within “the fold." But you are invited to enter into illimitable blessing and liberty divine by, or through Him, as He says, "I am the door"—not of the sheepfold, but—"of the sheep" (ver. 7). The sheep-pen is gone, and there is now no longer a “fold," as once there was, but “one flock, one shepherd” (ver. 16). If through His unfailing mercy there are still with us under-shepherds (see Pet. 5: 2-4), yet only of One can it be said, “I am the good shepherd.”
“By ME IF ANY MAN ENTER IN HE SHALL BE SAVED.” Oh! what blessed news is this for any needy soul to hear. “If any man enter in"! Have you entered by Jesus? If not, why not? And will you not enter now?
You may enter, for it is open to any man. “Christ is the way, "the only way for salvation." There is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved." In His name is salvation.
“Thou shalt call his name Jesus [Jehovah, a Savior], for he shall save his people from their sins." And what if you do enter by Him? You shall be saved. This is the blessed assurance of the Lord Jesus Himself, and will you not believe what He says? Again, He has said, “Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out "(6:37). Can you longer stay away? “Oh! enter while there's room.”
“AND SHALL GO IN AND OUT.” No longer bondage but the blessed liberty of grace. You have long enough been the slave of Satan, and liberty you have not known, nor can you ever know it so long as you are in his service, for Satan is a hard task-master indeed. But this Jesus is the great Deliverer from the bondage and power of the enemy. He proclaimed deliverance to the captive, and sets at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:16-2116And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Luke 4:16‑21)).
Further, this liberty is of entrance into the holiest by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:1919Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19)), that we may now worship the Father, who has made us meet to be there, and this too made known to us by the Holy. Ghost sent down from heaven. But if there is entrance in, there is the going out in service to others, a ministry of reconciliation and of the Spirit who now dwells in the Christian as the seal of his faith in Christ, and the earnest or pledge of what is to come.
“AND SHALL FIND PASTURE." Here is food and plenty. Not like the prodigal (so-called) in the far off land of famine, where he found himself in want but "no man gave unto him." As another long ago observed, Satan never gives. How different with God, who gives freely, but it is to faith! Can we find a fuller recital in such few words of the great and marvelous blessing awaiting the soul that comes to Jesus and enters by Him, who is “the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6))?
Dear reader, salvation, liberty and food are here offered you by and through the Lord Jesus. Will you believe His words, and receive the blessing for now and forever? Then will you worship and adore. Then will you be glad to tell others what great things He has done for you.