"Door"

The other day, as I was contemplating on what I should write for my monthly article for Edgemont’s newsletter, I began thinking about the new front doors of the church. It has been a long and tedious process of installation. However, they look great after receiving a final coat of paint. I am thankful for the couple who donated the money for the doors in memory of their parents, both of whom were longtime and faithful members of Edgemont Christian Church.

I think these doors symbolize their religious convictions. Both of these individuals were caring, welcoming and inviting people, who are greatly missed within our fellowship. However, their years of service are woven deep within this church. And our new doors will serve as a reminder of their belief to be a church that is welcoming, as well as open to sharing the gospel.

Doors are essentially important to every home and structure. They secure. They are the passageway in and out. They prevent the elements of nature; such as heat, cold, rain and snow from entering. Doors serve a variety of needs that are essential to any home or structure they’re on.

There is also a lot of symbolism when it comes to doors. Life is often referred to as the opening and closing of a door. Sometimes, we speak of opportunities as being "doors of opportunities." But, perhaps the greatest symbolism of all is that Jesus is our "Door." In John’s gospel, Jesus says; "I am the door of the sheep" (John 10:7). This statement had powerful implications for our Lord’s original hearers. In biblical times, after allowing the sheep to graze, shepherds would guide their flocks into stone enclosures each night to insure their safety. These structures had no doors or gates. Therefore, the shepherd would sit or lie down in the opening to prevent any predators from attacking. Thus here, in the 10th chapter of John’s gospel, Jesus was describing himself, along with his constant care, provision and devotion as being that "door" for the believer.

The symbolism of the door even goes beyond our Lord’s reference in John 10:7, to refer to what he accomplished on the cross. When Jesus extended his arms on the cross he became the "door" through which the wall of separation between God and man was opened. The door explains Christ’s role as Mediator - High Priest to the believer.

The Eastern Orthodox Church has a beautiful way of symbolizing this in their churches. Among all of the elaborate and beautiful decor of Eastern Orthodox Church there is an iconostasis, which means in essence, an "icon-stand." The iconostasis separates the sanctuary from the nave. Its origin traces back to an ancient custom of placing icons on a low wall before the altar.
The iconostasis is usually very elaborate and may even conceal most of the sanctuary. They contain three entrances which are used throughout the service. The two doors are either side of the iconostasis are referred to as the "Deacon Doors." The center door, which is the door enshrouded with rich symbolism and meaning, is referred to as the "Royal Door" or the "Holy Door." This door contains an icon of Christ. Various other icons are found on the iconostasis including John the Baptist, Theotokos (the Virgin Mary or Mother of our Lord), the apostles, and the patron saint of the church. In addition to these, other icons may be added depending on the custom and space. The "Royal Door" or "Holy Door" conceals the altar on which the Eucharist or Holy Communion is celebrated - the meal which recalls the sacrifice of Christ of which the Holy of Holies (God’s presence) was made available and accessible to us. Whenever the Lord’s Supper is being celebrated the doors are open to symbolize Christ, whose ultimate sacrifice became the "door" to God for the believer.

In the Chalice Worship, there is a beautiful prayer that I have used a number of times when blessing new home for an individual or couple, which reads;

"O God, make the door of this house
Wide enough to receive all who need human love and fellowship;
Narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and strife.
Make its threshold smooth enough to be no stumbling block to children or to straying feet,
But rugged and strong enough to turn back the temper’s power.
God, make the door of this house the gateway to thy eternal kingdom."

In a sense, we are called to live as doors. Therefore, may this prayer ring true of our own lives, which serve as the doors of God’s kingdom.

In the letter to the Church in Philadelphia found in Revelation chapter 3, our Lord is described as the one who has the "key of David." You may recall that it was King David who God made a covenant with for an everlasting kingdom, and it was through the Davidic line that Christ was born. Therefore, it is Christ who is the True and Eternal King whose kingdom has no end, and the one who possesses the keys that open the door to this promise, this covenant God made with David. The Lord also reminds the church in Philadelphia that he has set before them an "open door that no one can shut" (Revelation 3:8). This "open door" can symbolize two things. First, admission into God’s kingdom - God’s invitation is indeed always open. And secondly, it could speak of the "open doors" of opportunity that were entrusted to the church of Philadelphia and ultimately to us. I like to think that both of these interpretations are true.

Let’s seek to be a people who are inviting and welcoming of all God’s people, and let us take full advantage of the opportunities God entrusts to us. Let us be faithful with the "doors of opportunity" God opens for us; and more importantly, let’s open the "doors" of our hearts wide.