“Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20).
Jesus is always knocking on the door of our hearts, asking if we’ll open up and invite Him to come in. He never just rudely barges in, forcing Himself upon us.
His patient, gentle knocking is an invitation to have a deep and personal relationship with Him, a desire that has been placed within each of us by Almighty God.
Sometimes this desire is buried under the cares and worries of our lives. We just can’t imagine that getting closer to Jesus would help to solve our problems.
Maybe it’s hard to believe that Jesus really loves us personally and wants to be in a close relationship with us.
We may even fear that if we open the door, Jesus might request something of us that is too difficult to give.
Well, there is no reason to fear because our Advocate, the Holy Spirit, is always ready to help and loves to light our path and direct us to Jesus.
Jesus knows we may need some courage to open the door all the way. Looking through a tiny peephole, or opening the door just a crack, may be all that’s needed to get things started.
We may be happily surprised to discover that Jesus just wants to visit, friend to friend, sharing love and conversation with His beloved child.
The famous painting of Jesus knocking at an old wooden door in a garden shows that the door has no outside handle. Like the door of our heart, it can only be opened from the inside.
Let’s be ready to answer when Jesus knocks. We will never regret welcoming this most loving and gracious Guest.
Patricia J. Hen
essy is a member of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.