Matthew 25:10 says, “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.”
Have you ever heard the expressions, “I had the door slammed in my face” or “I tried to get my foot in the door”? The expression “door” can signify many ideas. Our language is peppered with allusions that signify either gaining entrance or being denied entrance. Jesus used the same metaphors to demonstrate man’s relationship with God. The New Testament has several important doors:
The Door That Shuts the Lord In
This is the door of prayer. Matthew 6:6 says, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Literally, this means to pray behind closed doors. This passage does not forbid prayer in the open, nor does it encourage cowardice. However, it does forbid prayer for the purpose of appearing righteous. Jesus had no use for those who make themselves look like they are dedicated to God (Matthew 6:16-18; 23:4-7). When we pray we should shut out interferences and interruptions, placing all our thoughts on God.
The Door That Shuts the Lord Out
This is the door of indifference. Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Look at the context of the message to the Laodiceans. Christ had been on the inside, but now He was on the outside. He had been crowded out by the lukewarmness of the Laodicean Christians. But He knocks and knocks, seeking admittance again. Has He been crowded out of your heart? Why not let Him in and let Him dine with you?
The Door That Shuts Man In
This is the door of preparation. God shut Noah and his family in, that is, made them secure from the ravages of the Flood, because they were prepared (Genesis 7:16). The Lord shut the door for the five wise virgins — the virgins who were on the inside by reason of their preparation — against the dangers and darkness of the outside (Matthew 25:10).
The Door That Shuts Man Out
This is the door of negligence, or lack of preparation. The same door that Noah and his family in, also shut the wicked world out. The same door that shut the wise virgins in, also shut the foolish virgins out (Matthew 25:11; Luke 13:25). There are so many people that stand at this door. It is scary to think of having to meet God unprepared, yet that door will close on thousands and thousands of those who have never obeyed the gospel.
Which door do you find yourself behind? James said, “Behold, the Judge is standing right at the door” (5:9). This is the door of judgment. All of us must stand at this door (2 Corinthians 5:10), regardless of which one we stood at during our lives. Jesus said, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture” (John 10:9). We pray that you will be at the door with the Lord.
Kyle Campbell