"Halls of Hell"

 Started not to bring it up,

‘Cause it was just too sad,

Had a dream just last night,

And it was really bad.

I wandered through the halls of hell,

The corridors were long,

Dark and gloomy, endless they,

I wanted to be gone.

But there was not an exit,

Though I searched the whole night through,

Mostly I was all alone,

And hopeless without clue.

Sometimes out in the distance,

Of those corridors and halls,

I’d see someone a-searchin’,

I’d hear their mournful calls.

They, too, were looking, looking,

For a door to lead them out,

But it was non-existent,

That’s what this dream’s about.

Jesus is the way, you see,

Yes, He’s the door, the gate,

But if you don’t accept Him,

In hell it’s just too late.

God in love and wisdom,

Says this should never be,

Sent His Son to save us,

And did it willingly.

So accept His invitation,

Then you will know it’s true,

Heaven is your homeland,

And hell is not for you.

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9, NIV)

Jesus not only claimed to be the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. He claimed to be the gate and the only way into God’s salvation. If this is not true, but He thought it was, He was unbalanced mentally. If this is not true, and He knew it, then He was an imposter and liar. Some would consider it a possibility that John made up the story, and Jesus never really made the claim. Though by all accounts John gave his life entirely to the cause of Christ. The last possibility is that what Jesus said about Himself was true and wanted us all to know it. We believe He is the way to the Father, God’s only gate to salvation.

Lord, help us to recognize that You are the gate, in Jesus’ name.

Art by R.S. Riddick, used by permission. Thanks, and God bless.