As Jesus described Himself as “the door” not a door, He reminds each of us of the exclusive nature of our salvation. He is not only the Shepherd who leads us into the sheepfold but the only door by which we may enter and be saved (John 3:16). 

Keep in mind, sheep are the most helpless of domesticated animals, as well as the dumbest! They can spend their entire day grazing, wandering from place to place, never looking up. So, they often become lost. Unlike other domesticated animals, they don’t even have a built in “homing device” that will help them find their way back. Even if their sheepfold is in plain sight! And by nature, sheep are followers, if one steps off a cliff, the others will follow. 

Sheep are also completely helpless against predators. They don’t try to defend themselves by running or spreading out, instead they huddle together and make themselves easily slaughtered. 

They are easily frightened, even by running water! Maybe I am seeing a little more clearly why Jesus refers to us humans as sheep! They are totally dependent on their shepherd who tends with care and compassion. Shepherds were providers, guards, protectors, and constant companions. When a shepherd had his sheep out in the countryside during good weather, he enclosed them at night in a rough circle of rocks piled into a wall with a small open space to enter. This required their shepherd to lie across the opening as the door to keep the sheep in and wild animals out. A good shepherd, even a hireling, would lay down his life to protect his sheep.

We live in a world full of predators whose sole intent is to destroy us (1 Peter 5:8). As Jesus described Himself as “the door” not a door, He reminds each of us of the exclusive nature of our salvation. He is not only the Shepherd who leads us into the sheepfold but the only door by which we may enter and be saved (John 3:16).