Will We Open The Door?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesOur Lord once stated to the church at Laodicea: “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20 NKJV; cf. Luke 12:36-37).
Jesus’ words have echoed throughout the centuries as an invitation to the abundant life that He offers (John 10:10 NKJV).
British painter William Holman Hunt, once painted a magnificent portrait entitled, “The Light of the World.” It is a portrait representing Christ standing at the door of our heart, knocking and waiting for entrance.
The story is told that when Hunt finished the painting, he displayed it for the critics. As the masterful artist unveiled his painting, he stepped back to await evaluation. As if struck in the face, the artist grimaced as one of the critics began to laugh loudly. The critic then began to whisper to all those standing around, and finally replied to Hunt, “You have made an obvious, but grave mistake! It seems that someone with your intelligence would have remembered to put a knob on the door. I can’t believe you would forget!”
“It’s there,” Hunt replied. “You are not able to see the door knob, for it is on the inside of the door.”
Today, if we look at Mr. Hunt’s painting, we will notice that there is still no door knob on the outside of the door. The idea being that in order for Jesus to enter the door of our heart, we ourselves will have to willingly turn the knob on the inside of the door in order to welcome Him in, because He doesn’t force His way into anyone’s heart [life].
The only question remaining is, “Are we willing to hear the voice of Jesus, and open the door of our heart in obedience to Him?” (Revelation 3:20 NKJV; cf. Matthew 7:21 NKJV).