Jesus the Door

Today’s Devotional - April 14, 2020

This is a series of messages from the time of isolation during the COVID19 Response in Oregon, United States. 

Hope that leads to victory. We now have the privilege and responsibility to live in the context of a risen Christ. What does this mean? I’ll point at two passages. 

Ephesians 2 outlines our movement from “dead in trespasses” to “created in Christ Jesus for good works.”

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV) - I’d encourage you to read the whole passage 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sin in which you once walked… For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

We come to Jesus to be saved from death and brought into life, just as the Israelites in the desert gazed at the emblem of a serpent raised up on a staff and were saved from death. But there is more.

Jesus is not just our destination. He is also our door… our gate. Jesus says, “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 (NKJV)

Our door to what?

I believe the answer inside that question is much bigger than, perhaps, what we have believed! 

In C. S. Lewis’ final book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, The Last Battle, there is an illustration of this idea. Lewis places a door in Narnia that leads from that world into heaven. Inside that door is a space immeasurably larger and better than the world outside of it. That door represents Jesus Christ. 

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father except by me.” - John 14:6 

An opportunity and assignment in this season is sincerely ask in prayer, “Jesus, I believe Your word. You are a door. Please show me how to fully receive You, and also to step into what You have made available for me. Thank You. Amen.”

Sisters and Brothers - be blessed! Explore what God has done for you. I believe that Jesus would say to you, “Come and see.”

Today’s Song: Graves into Gardens - By Elevation Worship 

Now we get to live in the reality of hope!

Lyrics for Graves into Gardens by Elevation Worship

I searched the world but it couldn’t fill me man’s empty praise and treasures that fade are never enough

Then You came along and put me back together and every desire is now satisfied Here in Your love

Chorus: 

Oh there’s nothing better than You there’s nothing better than You

Lord there’s nothing, nothing is better than You

I’m not afraid to show You my weakness my failures and flaws

Lord You’ve seen them all and You still call me friend

‘Cause the God of the mountain Is the God of the valley

There’s not a place Your mercy and grace won’t find me again

Bridge:

You turn mourning to dancing You give beauty for ashes You turn shame into glory You’re the only one who can

You turn graves into gardens You turn bones into armies You turn seas into highways You’re the only one who can You’re the only one who can