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“I Am the Door”

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved

and will go in and out and find pasture.

John 10:9 (ESV)

Jesus Christ explains to his listeners that there is only one way to reach God and to enter heaven; that way is through Him and Him alone.

In our world, we see buildings with doors and windows. Doors are present in order to allow desired people in and, when necessary, to keep unwanted people out. Looters and robbers climb through windows in order to gain entry to buildings and homes where they do their questionable deeds.

Jesus tells that if anyone enters the fold via any way other than through Him, that person is a robber and a thief.

A song from years past comes to mind. The words are simple and yet meaningful. “too high, can’t go over it; too low can’t go under it. Too wide, can’t go around it; you have to go through the door. “

“I Am the Good Shepherd”

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father,

and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:14-15 (ESV)

Jesus tells us that one of His roles is that of a Shepherd. He then gives us a job description of what being a good shepherd entails.

He puts himself in danger to protect his flock. A hired hand wouldn’t do this.

The sheep know his voice and will follow him. If the sheep don’t know the shepherd, they will run away.

A good shepherd goes to all extremes to protect those of his sheepfold. Even placing himself (or herself) in danger to rescue one of his charges.

The Lord Jesus tells us that a hired person will not look after the sheep as closely as their owner. We see this thought carried out in our modern world. In the marketplace, the good employees are a blessing to those who patronize their stores. Lately, I have seen both good employees and not so good employees. We can only pray for those who rankle our nerves that God will make them better representatives. We also need to pray that God will remold us and make us into better servants for His kingdom.

“I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.

Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

Do you believe this? John 11:25-26 (ESV)

Jesus returned to Bethany because Lazarus had died. When Jesus arrived, Martha heard He was nearby and went to meet Him. She believed that had Jesus been present, her brother would have recovered. In her grief, she voiced her thoughts.

Jesus told her Lazarus would rise again. She responded that she knew her brother would rise again ‘in the resurrection on the last day.’

Jesus then identifies Himself as “the resurrection and the life.” He continues, explaining what that means. Simply stated, it means that, although a believer dies, that believer will live with Jesus. He goes on to state that once a person believes in Him, he or she ‘will never die.’ (He is speaking of the soul of the believer.)

The Master asked Martha a very pointed question, “Do you believe this?” Martha

Answers with the affirmation that she does believe that this man standing before her is “The Christ, the Son of God.”

I have heard this passage preached at many funerals. When I hear the question Jesus asks, it sets me to thinking. Our time on earth is getting short. We need to focus on this question that Christ asked Martha on a regular basis. Things come into our lives that distract us from the journey that God has planned for us. We have the responsibility to live for Jesus and share His love with those around us. Part of that responsibility is that we search our hearts for hidden sin and ask Him to take care of it.

"Point of Reference" from Fred Price

A Broken Spirit And Contrite Heart