The image you see is Holman Hunt’s masterpiece, “The Light of the World.” He is depicting the words of our Lord to the Laodicean church in Revelation 3:20 Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and have dinner with him, and he with Me.
This is such an incredible promise of our Lord. He stands at the door of our heart and gently knocks. When we respond to Him and open that door Jesus will join us in fellowship and love. In His hand is light, a light to conquer whatever darkness is presently surrounding us. Jesus, the Light of our World.
My prayer is that for our thought today we might consider what it means for Jesus to stand at the door to our heart and gently knock.
For most of us, hearing the doorbell or a knock at the door will cause us to first wonder who it could be, unless we are expecting someone. I confess that my first thought is usually that someone annoying is at my door with plans of selling me something. Often, that annoying person is a child who smiles up with a grin that is minus a couple of front teeth. They are trying to raise money for their school, or scout group, or their church youth program. My hard heart tends to melt once I see that it is a child and I dutifully find my billfold and buy a candy bar that is not good for me at a price that would be considered outrageous, except that it is for a good cause.
If the person at the door turns out to be a friend paying an unexpected visit, our reaction would be very different. With a wide smile we would invite them in, perhaps with a handshake or a hug. With the offer of a beverage and snack we would ask them to sit down and stay awhile. We’d anxiously wait to hear why they have chosen to come by.
So, what is our reaction to the Lord of Lords standing at the door to our heart and knocking? Are we annoyed? Are we inquisitive as to what He could possibly want? Are we amazed that He would be there, knocking, offering to come in and enjoy fellowship with us? Do we react with a smile, a hug, and an eager desire to share some time out of our day?
Do we think that this verse telling us of Jesus patiently knocking at the door of our heart is only referring to those who have not made a decision for Christ? That would be wrong. Remember, Jesus spoke those words for the church at Laodicea. He is speaking to Christian people. He is speaking to us.
Is there ever a day when you couldn’t use a visit from Jesus? Wouldn’t His presence bring relief, and understanding, and assurance, and hope, and joy, and love?
Listen! Jesus stands at the door to your heart. His desire is to be invited in so that He may fellowship with you, talk with you, care for you. Please, don’t ignore Him.
Vern