It’s easy for Christians to fall into a rut: Church is a thing you do, prayer is a box to check, and faith seems far from “the real world.” This fall we let Jesus himself confront our ruts. “Do you believe this?” he asks (Jn. 11:26).
To believe in Jesus is to experience him. It’s more than logic, argument, and doctrine. It is intimate knowledge of God himself. This fall, let Jesus himself speak to you in his seven “I AM” statements in the gospel of John. How is he changing you? What response is he inspiring in you? To believe in him changes everything.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Ponder
Today we ponder the I AM statement: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Why are darkness and night associated with sin and evil? What darkness are you experiencing in your life today?
Word
John 10:3
“To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
Meditation: Open Door by Anna Jacob
A closed door can provide quiet, creating a sense of calm.
My younger sister and I shared a bedroom for most of our adolescent years. During part of that time, we slept in a set of bunk beds positioned next to our bedroom door. As sisters, we argued about many things and the position of our bedroom door at night was certainly one of those things. She wanted it left open. While I wanted it closed.
For me, I needed the darkness as well as the added barrier to help me fall asleep. I cannot say for sure what prompted her to have the door slightly open. It could have been to allow light from the hallway to pour into the room. Or to avoid feeling locked in the room. But part of me thinks it may just have been a way for her to be contrary to me. Unfortunately for her, it was much easier to hold the door shut than to try to keep it open.
A locked door can provide security, creating a sense of peace.
There have been two instances in my adult life where I have gotten accidentally locked in a room. The first time was in a Roman hostel bathroom. The door and locking mechanism, while slightly foreign to me, was also old and, as I quickly learned, prone to getting stuck. The second time was the bedroom in my new home. Once again, an older door with a finicky doorknob, which decided to fall apart after closing the door one night.
In both instances, I was alone to figure out my solutions, but not truly. By remaining calm and saying a prayer, I was able to not lose heart. It would have been easy for me to panic. Thankfully, I remained persistent with the hostel bathroom door and eventually got the key to work in the lock. The bedroom door took some ingenuity as I used a found item to trigger the internal door mechanism, allowing the door to open.
These examples may not directly connect to our reading. There are no sheep involved. Sisters fighting over a bedroom door does not really portray calm. The locked doors were not times I felt secure, but felt trapped.
However, I can look to God and know that with Jesus, I do not have to worry. He provides the calm I need. He makes me feel secure and safe.
And together, we can turn to John 10:3 and read, “To him the gatekeeper opens.”
God has given Jesus the authority to be the door for us sinners. When you call out in prayer, he hears your voice. He is with you even when the door feels shut. When the sin of this world makes you feel trapped and alone, he provides a way. Because of his words, we can believe that he has provided an open door for us.
Dear Lord, thank you for leading us. Help us to trust that you will provide a secure place for us. In you, we can find calm. In you, we can find peace. In your name we pray, Amen.
Prayer
Jesus, you said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Chase away the sins in my life that like to hide in the shadows. Dispel confusion and ignorance. Shine into the dark corners of my world today. Amen.
Benediction
May the blessing of the eternal God be upon us and upon our work;
His light to guide us,
His presence to strengthen us,
His love to unite us;
Now and always. Amen.