My husband and I recently visited Williamstown, Kentucky, USA, to see the Ark Encounter. Upon arriving, far in the distance on a hill, we could see a full-size replica of the ark that God told Noah to build, and we were taken there by bus. It is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high! Inside the ark, we did a self-guided tour, but there were lots of staff around to guide us and answer questions. The experience doesn't end inside, as outside there are gardens, a small zoo, and restaurants, as well as a virtual simulator. It was amazing and well worth the long drive to see it!
As I relaxed in one of the areas to sit and take in the experience, what stuck with me was the single door that Noah, his family, and the animals would have entered.
Genesis 6:16 – You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks. (NKJV)
God told Noah to build an ark with one door. Just as Noah's family went through one door to be saved from the flood, so to be saved from our sin, we must also go through one door:
John 10:7,9b – Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. (NKJV)
In biblical times the shepherd would rest in the entryway to the sheepfold. The shepherd was the door to keep his sheep safe.
The Bible also talks about other significant doors: the Passover door with its protective blood, the doors to the Most Holy Place in the temple, the narrow door that leads to life, and the door to Jesus' empty tomb. Reading about these different doors opened an unexpected perspective for me. Each of these doors, though different, has the same message. They all point to one person — Jesus. What a wonderful analogy it is! If we are in Jesus, He is always at the door waiting for us as we come in to Him and go out into the world for Him.
There are times in our walk as Christians when we leave through a door and an event or a situation happens in our life, and we fall into sin. This challenged my thinking as I thought about times when the door was closed behind me, and I turned away, feeling not worthy to enter back in. Through God's promises in the Scriptures, we need to rest assured that God offers all of us access into His presence. We just need to take the steps to turn back to Him.
From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God gives us example after example of the doors that lead to Jesus. As we examine and think about the doors that I have mentioned, I pray that we will see how Jesus has met us at the door. My prayer is that this will give us a boldness to share with others how Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for providing just one door for us to enter. We are thankful for the different types of doors that lead to You, which we can show people so that they can find salvation and rest in knowing that You are always at the door. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.