The Door & The Way
This was my first attempt of hopefully many to trace a theme throughout the Bible. I was inspired to try this after attending Nancy Guthrie’s Biblical Theology Workshop last year.
In the beginning, all was perfect and they dwelled with God in Eden unhindered. Until they sinned. He drove them out and blocked the way. The angels stood guard. (Genesis 1-3)
The world was wicked and washed away by a flood. But there remained an open door. In His kindness, those who entered the door to the ark were protected from God’s wrath. Saved from the flood. (Genesis 6-9)
Fire and sulfur rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet God,in his mercy, provided a way of escape for Lot and his family. (Genesis 19)
Years passed and passed, then… Passover. Those with the blood of the lamb on the doorway were spared from death. And as God’s people fled, a way of escape literally opened before them: a sea parted to dry land. (Exodus 12-15)
The tabernacle was built. The veil blocked the way. Only the on the Day of Atonement could the priest enter. And the angels still stood guard. (Exodus 25-29)
Finally! The Promised Land! Again water parted to dry land. God made a way where there was none. (Joshua 3-4)
As His people walk through life, generation by generation, He is faithful to lead us, like sheep, in paths of righteousness. He gives us His word as a light for our path. If we acknowledge Him, he directs our paths. (Psalm 23, 78, 119 & more, Proverbs 3:6 & more)
A temple was built by Solomon. The temple’s inner doors still blocked the way to the Most Holy Place. Only the on the Day of Atonement could the priest enter. And the angels still stood guard. (2 Chronicles 3-5, 1 Kings 6-8)
“This is the way;” declared the prophet Isaiah, “walk in it.” Many prophets were sent to declare the way. (Isaiah 30:21)
They were thrown into a fiery furnace, into a lion’s den, for proclaiming it. And yet, the God who is bigger than the fire and the lions provided a way out. (Daniel 3-6)
But how will we get in? Can we ever dwell with God in Eden again? Will the doors ever open again?
Jesus entered the scene. Who was this man that claimed to be God?
“I am the door… the door of the sheep. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture,” He promised. (John 10:7-9)
“Enter by the narrow gate,” He warned. “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” He proclaimed. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
And as this man died on a Roman cross, taking our punishment upon Himself, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The way to the Most Holy Place was opened. He had made a way for us to come into God’s presence once again. (Matthew 27:51, Luke 23:45)
And on the third day, the stone was rolled away. The door of the tomb was opened: “He is not here, for he has risen, as he said.” (Matthew 28:1-6)
“Behold,” He says. “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
And the angels worship unceasingly, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8)
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! Amen!” (Revelation 5:12-14)
For those will enter by the narrow gate, hear this promise: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself with be with them as their God.” (Revelation 21:3)
Amen.