Jesus uses the imagery of the open door as an invitation to enter into His salvation.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
John 10:7-10 NASB1995
The Open Door
Access, dark to light
A door, open, inviting
New life born, transformed
Transformed, by His death
Designed, created, redeemed
To be me, set free
Set free, green pasture
Bread and wine; body and blood
Growing up in Him
In Him, I am held
Joy and peace, all mine
Holy hope, wholly sustained
~ Original, 2009
The Apostle Paul uses the imagery of an open door to describe the spread of the gospel.
Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too.
Acts 14: 27 NLT
In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 NLT
When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me.
2 Corinthians 2:12NLT
At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
Colossians 4:3 ESV
An open door is inviting. How might we spiritually and physically open doors for those who might be seeking a relationship with the Almighty God?
I’ve been thinking about this – how do we, by our attitudes and actions, close doors on seekers? How do we make it hard for those with questions or doubts to find the answers they need? Or are we welcoming? Invitational?
Prayer
Father, You who opens heaven’s doors –
Who, through mercy and grace, invite
The lowliest, neediest, the wretched
And poor to your table –
Teach us generosity, hospitality,
Compassion, an openness, Lord,
That welcomes others –
Pointing the way –
Healing comfort, friendship
Revealing and reveling in the
Sweet love of our Lord.
Sharing all that You have poured
Out on us – That others might
Be found by You – putting their
Trust in You. For Your Name’s sake –
Amen.
