My friend Janis tells a story about how her daughter used to have to prop open the door to her room so that the air would circulate. No matter what she tried to use for a doorstop, the door would eventually ease back to a closed position.

One day Janis noticed that her daughter had taken a small cross and wedged it in such a way that it kept the door propped open. At first she was horrified to see that her daughter had used a cross for such a menial task. It seemed highly inappropriate.

Upon further reflection, my friend decided that this was a good reminder of how Jesus opens up the door for us to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who allows us to enter God’s pasture.

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved…”—John 10:9.