(Read John 10)
For a long time, I believed I could handle everything on my own terms, relying on my strength and understanding rather than on Christ, who strengthens me. I thought I knew what was best for my life, allowing God to enter the narrative only where I saw fit. But Jesus teaches us a far greater truth—true peace and fulfillment come only when we surrender our plans and will to Him.
When we listen closely, we discover that Jesus reveals the fullness of God’s grace and mercy, accessible only through Him. Under the Old Covenant, access to God’s presence was restricted and marked by awe and fear—only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and even then, just once a year. But this barrier has been removed through Jesus, our Great High Priest. Believers now have direct access to God, not because of our worthiness but because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. This confidence is a gift of grace, reminding us that our relationship with God is not earned but freely given through faith in Christ.
My wife has endured three horrific hospital visits in less than three weeks. Out of nowhere, her body has learned to create kidney stones. Although she has an incredible tolerance for pain, she was no match for how the stones wreaked havoc on her body. Sharp stabbing pain and violent episodes of vomiting brought her to a cowering low point. We have prayed much more than usual in the past few weeks, boldly seeking God’s comfort to help her through this. We put our prayers on the altar, laying out our worries, needs, and weaknesses nakedly in front of Christ. Our prayers were not a list of demands but whispers of surrender. We trust in His divine will, His sovereign plan, and find solace in His being, not His doing.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
This verse reminds us that even in life’s toughest moments, God’s grace is our anchor. When challenges expose our weaknesses, leaving us feeling inadequate, His grace meets us right where we are. Far from the fear-filled approach to God in the Old Testament, Hebrews paints a different picture, revealing Jesus as the bridge to confident faith. Because of Him, we can approach God’s throne boldly, not with trembling, but with the assurance of His mercy.
Jesus, our Great High Priest, knows our struggles intimately. He intercedes for us, and no matter what we face—pain, temptation, hardship, or doubt—we have access to the throne of grace. There, we find the help and mercy we need to navigate every situation.
Prayer isn’t about escaping our troubles; it’s about encountering God in the midst of them. This verse calls us to “approach” Him, to experience transformation through prayer and worship. Jesus gives us direct access to this encounter, removing all barriers. In His unending grace, mercy, and love, we are changed.
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
God’s strength is most evident when we are at our weakest. By acknowledging our limitations, we open ourselves to His transformative power.
We met a remarkable man during our latest hospital visit. He’d recently fallen and was clearly suffering, yet he carried himself with quiet dignity. As we talked, he shared a story of incredible hardship: knee surgery, prostate cancer, amputation, and now this fall. But through it all, his faith pierced through. “Of course, I wouldn’t be here, but by the grace of God,” he said, and in that moment, I knew I was in the presence of someone who had found true faith despite adversity.
Amid his suffering, this man’s spirit shone brightly. “My legs and neck are burning from this fall,” he admitted, “but without Jesus, I wouldn’t be here at all. No way.” His faith was his anchor. When asked about his source of strength, he quoted Isaiah 40:31 without hesitation: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” His words resonated deeply, reminding us that even in our weakest moments, God’s power can sustain us.
Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”
John 10:7-9
When Jesus declares, “I AM the door,” He is making a definitive statement about His identity and purpose. He is not simply offering an option for salvation; He is declaring Himself the sole gateway to God, the one and only path to true life.
A door is more than just decoration, it’s a gateway that provides access and security. When Jesus calls Himself “the door,” He emphasizes His unique role as the only entrance to the Father’s presence. He offers protection, guidance, and the assurance of eternal life to all who enter through Him. Those who seek other paths remain outside, highlighting the vital necessity of Jesus’ saving work.
Jesus’ claim, “I AM the door,” directly challenges the idea of multiple paths to God. He is the one and only way. Yet, this singular path is open to everyone. As Bonhoeffer reminds us, “The door is narrow, but it is wide enough for the whole world to enter if they come through Christ.”
In a world where everything is redefined, some truths are absolute, unwavering foundations. Just as 2+2 will always equal 4, and the angles of a triangle will always sum to 180 degrees, so too are there unchangeable realities in our spiritual lives. Consider the absolute path to a file on your computer. Any deviation, however small, will prevent you from reaching it. Similarly, accessing the truth of God requires adhering to the one absolute path He has provided.
Tomorrow, my wife faces surgery. We pray not only for God’s healing touch but for His perfect will to be done. While we hope for a smooth procedure and complete recovery, we seek something deeper – to see Christ more clearly, recognizing that He is the door through which we enter into deeper faith and understanding. We pray to draw closer to Him and to let our love for Him flourish even in the face of adversity.
Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Psalm 100:3
Life Applications:
- Read John 10:7-9 carefully and slowly. Choose the right gate: Place our faith in Jesus as the only way to true life.
- Be vigilant: Guard against false influences and teachings that can lead us astray.
- By applying these principles, we can experience the abundant life Jesus promises and stay on the path He has set for us.