The
Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity.
The Collect.
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LMIGHTY and everlasting God, give unto us the increase of faith, hope, and
charity; and, that we may obtain that which thou dost promise, make us to love
that which thou dost command; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
6. I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door
into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a
robber. 2 But he that entereth in
by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter
openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name,
and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before
them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not
follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This
parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were
which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and
robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter
in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but
for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:1-10)
The amazing word-pictures Christ uses to describe Himself are full of
beauty and truth, are they not? If Christ is THE Way, THE
Truth, and THE Life, then there is no way, no
truth, and no life outside of Him as the Source of all.
Sadly, in our day, many supposed evangelists are beginning to waver on the
solitude of Christ as our only means of salvation. They do so for filthy lucre
and purposes of political correctness. I need not remind you that there will be
no political correctness in Heaven! How must we enter upon the threshold of
that straight and narrow way that leadeth to life eternal. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and
broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto
life, and few there be that find it.
(Matt
7:13-14) I merely point
out to the Reader two characteristics of the ways mentioned by Christ: 1) the busy
and worldly broad way that leads DOWN to destruction: This way is downhill and
easy to travel. We are in a host of companions on this way. 2) The STRAIGHT WAY
and the NARROW WAY is rarely travelled. It is leading UP HILL but it is the
ONLY way that leads to life. We may be very lonely at times as we travel this
WAY for this road requires faith, resolve, commitment, and perseverance.
Here
are some ways in which the DOOR is likened to our Lord Jesus Christ:
1)
The Door is comprised of the
same structure to which it grants admittance. So was Christ made like
unto us so that He might bear our sins on the cross. Forasmuch then as
the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took
part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of
death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death
were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on
him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham (Heb
2:14-16)
2)
The DOOR is designed to fit
perfectly for the purpose of its intended installation by the wisdom and
experience of the maker of it. So was Christ sent in a body prepared for Him to
perfectly meet the needs of all who are called and chosen in Him. Sacrifice
and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
(Heb 10:5)
3)
The DOOR is set apart for a
particular purpose in the house. No other part of the house can serve that
purpose. So Christ was set apart by the Father as the ONLY ONE able to serve
the purpose of salvation. Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent
into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:36)
4)
The Door is the only means of
properly entering into the house with the permission of the owner. Likewise,
Christ is the only means of entry into the Kingdom of God – there is no other
entrance.
5)
The DOOR is controlled by its
rightful owner. Christ is the Son of God who serves only the Will of His Father
in Heaven. The DOOR belongs to the House Owner. Christ belongs to His Father in
Heaven!
6)
The DOOR is the means of family
members and friends to come and go from the house. Christ is the only means
whereby members of the family of God can gain access to Him.
7)
The DOOR is for use of all sorts
and classes of people – servants, the poor, ignorant, educated, military,
civilian, kings, and beggars. So is Christ the only means for the approach of
kings, beggars, captains, ignorant, and educated to enter into His Rest.
8)
The Door is not exclusively for
the purpose of entrance of men and women, but also for the passages of other
desired items that the house master may desire. Christ is the means of
entrance, not only of men and women, but also of their prayers and
thanksgiving, their works and services, for the glory of God.
9)
The DOOR is the means of viewing
the interior of the house. So is Christ the only means of viewing the
beauty and glory of Heaven.
10) The DOOR grants admittance into the favored
parts of the house such as the dining room, kitchen, closets, and bedroom.
Christ is therefore the entrance into the special privileges of heaven: joy of
life, prayer worship, ecstasy of love, etc.
11) The DOOR is the station of blessing of the
poor who wait without for gifts of charity and love. So is Christ the very
means of gifts given unto men in Holy Love. Just as Christ was foreshadowed in
Egypt by the blood of the lamb smeared on the upright door posts and lintels of
the DOOR for the salvation of the inhabitants.
Consider the love and grace of God in providing a DOOR and a means for
us to return to His favor after the sin of Adam of which we are the inheritors.
Consider, too, the great tragedy of those not finding that DOOR and entering
into life. Good Reader, have you found the DOOR in Jesus Christ? Are you on the
better WAY that is straight and narrow and leads up to LIFE?
