Thursday, February 24, 2005
John 10:7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep."
THE DOOR OF PROTECTION
I'm sure you can picture the scene in your mind where someone is running through a city's alleys at night being chased by one or more villians. What does the person do? He climbs fences, scurries up ladders, and scrambles over garbage dumpsters. Still, the enemy is close at hand. Finally, there is an open door. Maybe it's an abandoned warehouse or something. He dashes inside and the door slams shut, the deadbolt switches just as the sound of crashing bodies is heard on the other side. The door gives a little at the edges. It sounds like the door is being beaten with fists and hammers. Is it breaking? Will it give way?
Haven't you entered the safety of the Father's kingdom through Jesus Christ, the Door? Hasn't He given you the robe of His righteousness, paid for all your sins, and made you secure from the clawing fingers of death and the devil? The chase is over for you, isn't it?
So while you rest and enjoy your peace and quiet, listen for a moment to the sounds on the other side of the Door. I think they are beating on it. The Door seems to be groaning as if it is straining with all its might to keep the enemy at bay. It creaks at the edges. It sounds now like they are hitting the Door with whips. The enemies are yelling at the Door. They are spitting on it. They are making fun of it. They are saying that it's not really a Door at all if it doesn't open for them. They are trying to get at you to destroy your soul, but the Door will not let them pass.
Finally the Door falls silent. Darkness covers the earth. Then there is an earthquake and no more sounds. But the Door did not break. Not one splinter or crack is to be found.
Thanks be to God! 