The door with No Handle

Revelation 3:20 reads as follows: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." The Amplified says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he will eat with Me.”

What a wonderfully sad concept of Jesus - standing at the door knocking, softly yet persistently, seeking entrance. In the book ‘Christ And The Fine Arts’, someone had written about a picture depicting Revelation 3:20 that was found on a stained-glass window in a famous cathedral: ``The picture of a door with no handle portrays the moment when human destiny hangs in the balance, when Divine Love patiently waits upon human reluctance. Here is the perpetual issue between heaven and earth - choice. Here is the continual challenge of Christ to mankind. Here we see the ever-present appeal of love to lethargy. It is a call to decision in stained-glass.''

As beautiful as this window is, its sombre message can never be escaped. God, in all His love and persistence, will never cross the line of human freedom. Jesus the Saviour stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, waiting for our response. Not even God's great love will force open the heart's door. Ultimately, the decision to open the heart to Christ, or to leave it shut tightly against him, rests with the individual. But notice, initially the door is shut - Jesus is standing behind a closed door without a handle.

Such a reality is both wonderful and fearful - wonderful in that God has granted us such a choice; fearful in that so much of our destiny hangs on that choice. Choices frame your future!

This verse is used mostly in the context of salvation, however, I believe it also reveals a universal law - a spiritual principle. So let’s examine the process of Revelation 3:20:

(1) Jesus comes. Jesus comes to us in time of need. He makes the effort and seeks us out. In fact He finds us - not the other way around! What love it takes to stand outside; what patience, not to batter the door down by His mighty power. Yet Jesus comes and stands outside, knocking and issuing an invitation to abundant life and intimacy with Him.

(2) Jesus initiates contact. Jesus is presented as the one knocking. He desires to make contact with you, so he knocks on the door of your life. And we must appreciate the fact that Jesus asks permission to enter (He knocks), he does not force his way in! Jesus waits patiently because He loves.

(3) Jesus knocks through His word. Jesus always uses His word to get our attention. “He who has ears, let him hear.” You cannot hear the Lord’s voice unless you know His word! And if you do not hear His voice you will never be able to let Him into your heart, life or situation.

(4) We must wilfully allow Jesus entrance. The door has no handle on the outside. Therefore, the only way is for you to open it! Much of modern theology presents man as passive in his means of escape, and God as overwhelming. Such a concept is foreign to the scriptures. Notice our verse, "...If any man hear My voice, and opens the door..." Note, "if" suggests a condition, a requisite condition in our verse. Therefore, you must first hear (Romans 10:17, Hebrews 11:6) and then open the door. God (in His sovereignty) may at various times cut across your life and intervene, however, your wilful involvement in your own deliverance is far more reliable. You must act by opening the door and letting the Lord into every negative circumstance.

(5) Our opportunity to be delivered can depart. You must make provision for your own deliverance. Jesus presented the Parable of the Ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Five were foolish and did not make provision to meet the bridegroom. Those who were ready, "went in with him" (the bridegroom is Christ). One of the saddest expressions in God's word occurs next regarding the five foolish virgins: "...and the door was shut" (Matthew 25:10). The foolish were not allowed entrance (verses. 11-13). Notice, when you do not allow Jesus in, He has the option of not allowing you in. What does this mean? We know He is standing at the door, but if rejected then He will proceed to shut the doors He has opened for you and move away. Remember the parable of the talents?

(6) The result is friendship and fellowship. When we go through this process correctly we confirm the ‘blood-covenant relationship’ we have with Jesus. And this covenant means that He will protect us from disaster - He lays a table before us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23).

Chris Demetriou, 11/10/2009