Open the Door

Week 45, Wednesday

Anya Roberts

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 (nasb)

In the verse above, the Lord made a statement that has become one of the best known texts in the Bible. The meaning of the verse is that the Lord is right outside the church at Laodicea, asking for individuals to give Him His rightful place.

What a beautiful view it gives us of the Lord Jesus, patient and pleading with men. Artist Holman Hunt has captured Jesus’ appeal here in his work. He painted a famous picture of Christ, The Light of the World, which depicts the Lord, wearing a crown of thorns, standing outside the human heart, patiently knocking and calling to let Him in. The story goes that someone said to the artist, “Mr. Hunt, you have painted a masterpiece, but you have made one serious mistake. You have painted a door without a handle.” “That is no mistake,” replied the artist. “The handle is on the inside.”

Jesus makes three promises to those who open the door of their heart to Him. First, He will come in—He comes into the believer’s heart and makes it His home. Second, He will dine—He takes what we put at his disposal, blesses it, multiplies it, and makes it a blessing to others. And third, He will be with us—if we open our hearts to Him, He will open heaven to us.

Dear Lord, help me to give all that I have to You and yield to Your Spirit. Amen.