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The Closed Door

BLACKBOARD ILLUSTRATIONS, &c.

The term door literally means entrance, and denotes the way into a building. Jesus uses the term in a metaphorical sense, and applies it to Himself. "I am the door." John x. 9. He is the only way of entrance into spiritual life, into the church, and into heaven. Hence, his language is, "I am the way." John xiv. 6. How clearly did the ancient Fathers teach this truth, when they said, "Christ, from the foundation of the world, has been the Father's way to earth and the sinner's way to God."

That open door has a very gracious meaning. It means that Jesus is now ready to receive us. He is saying to us all, "Come unto me." Matt. xi. 28. An open door invites us to enter, and so Jesus waits to receive us as we come to Him. Listen to His cheering words: "Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." John vi. 37. Enter the door now, while you are young. Many as young as you have done so. Polycarp entered when he was only four years old. At the age of ninety he said, "Eighty and six years have I served Him." Lady Huntington entered it when she was only nine years old. Bishop Hedding sought Christ at the age of four years. Alfred Cookman entered the door when he was ten years old. How true the promise: "Those that seek me early shall find me." Prov. viii. 17. Remember the door is open now. But the door that is shut has a very sad and solemn meaning. It means that Jesus, at the last, refuses to receive those who have refused Him. Can you pass through a doorway when it is closed against you? No. You turn away, and say the "door is shut." The foolish virgins found the "door was shut." Matt. xxv. 10. How terrible it will be for the soul to be homeless forever, and unsheltered amid the storms of eternity. If this door is shut against us, no other will open to receive us. Wait, and the door may be shut. Then you will vainly cry, "Lord, Lord, open unto us." Luke xiii. 25. "Too late, too late, ye cannot enter now." - Tennyson. A blacksmith, when he pulled his iron out of the fire, used to call out to his son, "Quick! quick! Now or never." -Foster. "

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." Eccl. xii. 1. It may be now or never with us.