Jesus: Our Door to Salvation

When you visit the Ark Encounter, you’ll walk by one of the most popular photo stops during our guests’ visit—the Ark’s door.

This door reminds us that we must go through a door to be saved. Jesus Christ is our one door to salvation (John 10:9), the “ark” that saves us from God’s judgment for eternity.

And on the third deck of the Ark Encounter, you can find our Why the Bible Is True exhibit. This exhibit, which brings the graphic novel Searching For Truth to life, follows three friends discussing their beliefs after a world religions class and includes a powerful gospel presentation.

Near the end of the exhibit, one friend answers questions about common objections to trusting God’s Word. He sketches biblical history by talking about certain doors mentioned in the Bible that highlight aspects of God’s love and mercy in a beautifully unique way.

As we enter Easter weekend, let’s explore a couple of these doors and their significance to this time of the year.

The Ark Door—Genesis 6:16

God instructed Noah to build an ark to save his family and representatives of land-dependent animals. God flooded the earth to wipe out an exceedingly evil world.

The door of the ark symbolizes God’s justice and mercy—judging the wicked world and saving the righteous Noah, his family, and certain animals. It also symbolizes that there was only one way to be saved from the physical consequences of the flood.

The Shepherd Door—John 10:7–9

Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep. . . . if anyone enters by me, he will be saved.” This door represents how Jesus is the only way for us to be in a relationship with God. At that time, shepherds in Israel and the Middle East rested in the opening to the sheepfold. That way, the sheep could only come and go through their “door.”

Jesus, the good shepherd and our door to eternal life, foreshadowed his sacrificial death by explaining that the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

The Cross

Each door mentioned in our Why the Bible Is True exhibit provides aspects of the good news. Man is sinful and separated from God (temple door), so he needs his sins to be blotted out. But because the punishment for sin is death, only a sacrificial death can remove sin. The blood of a spotless lamb was required to remove our sins.

And like the ark door symbolized man’s means of safety from death in the flood, Jesus Christ, the good shepherd, laid down his life for us, and he is the only means of eternal salvation from sin.

The Tomb Door—Matthew 28:1–6

Along with the crucifixion scene, this door is the climax of the gospel presentation—the door of the tomb. When Jesus died and was resurrected, the angel rolled away the stone that acted as the door to his grave, showing that Christ had power over death. Apostle Paul would later joyously exclaim that since Christ was raised from the dead, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. This is the hope of all Christians—that we will have eternal life with God in heaven.

The Wide Door and Narrow Door—Matthew 7:13–14

These doors, or gates, are mentioned in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus taught that many people are on the path to death and destruction that they reached through the wide door. Our hope and prayer is that millions more will enter through the narrow door, which leads to eternal life. Jesus offers the gift of eternal life to all who believe in him (John 3:16). This is truly good news.

This powerful exhibit is an amazing way to share the gospel with friends or family who may be struggling with some of life’s tough questions. Plan your visit today, and be sure to reflect on what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross—not just during Easter weekend but all year long!