A word to the guilty, 1 John 2:1-2: “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate.” A word to the friendless, Rev.3:20: “If any man hear My voice and open the door. A word to the unsatisfied, Jn.7:37: “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me.”
To explain what He meant, He illustrated His statement about blindness. There had been false prophets and messiahs who came and misled the people by claiming there was another way to God. Such a person is like a thief who uses sneaky and deceptive tactics to gain followers. Often, when someone like that appears among people, they use the same words as a believer, but with a different meaning behind them. They attract followers through false promises and subtle criticisms of those who take the Bible literally and follow its teachings as the guide for what we believe and how we live.
Robbers come with a more aggressive and confrontational effort to prevent sincere seekers from entering the kingdom of God. Often, they use open opposition against the preaching of the Gospel and the biblical practice of church truth. Anger is common when scripture is appealed to as the standard and source of faith and practice. The door of the sheepfold refers to Israel and the blessings God gave that nation. Past prophets opened the door to present the Shepherd, who led them out from long-standing bondage.
The Jews would have understood the imagery of the shepherd as the king of a nation. They saw themselves as the keepers of the door and had just expelled the newly healed blind man from the fold. The man excommunicated because of the blessing he received from Jesus was now welcomed by Jesus, who said He is the Door of the sheep. He is not concerned about the sheepfold but about the sheep themselves. This man, who gained sight, was cast out of Judaism, came to Christ, and was gladly received into the kingdom of God.
Dangers are everywhere, lurking secretly, searching for weak spots like a thief, waiting for nightfall, and watching until everything is quiet. Complacency seems to have taken over in so-called Christianity as the sheep lie in a dormant state. Many are so indifferent that it feels as if they are hibernating without purpose, yet there they lie.
The robber checks his weapons. Both club and spear are ready to take what isn't his. Unaware to the waiting sheep, a fierce attack is looming to claim their lives and wipe out their purpose today. The hired hand, paid to do what others want and what makes them happy, sleeps soundly through the danger. When the wolf boldly appears to quickly devour those in his care, he wakes up and runs.
Not sleeping and silently waiting, motionless, across the entrance to the sheepfold, a Living Door reveals Himself, causing all foes to flee. The sleeping sheep inside the fold remains safe – the Door is on guard!