Day 10: Light of the World
Revelation 3:20
“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 sup with him, and he with Me.”
In 1904, the life-sized version of William Holman Hunt’s famous painting, “Light of the World” was hung in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. It has always been my favorite religious painting and I have had the joy of seeing it in person several times. The allegorical painting represents the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on a door that illustrates our verse today, Revelation 3:20: “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 sup with him, and he with Me.” According to Hunt: “I painted the picture with what I thought, unworthy though I was, to be by Divine command, and not simply as a good Subject. The door in the painting has no handle, and can therefore be opened only from the inside, representing ‘the obstinately shut mind.’”
Learning for the first time of Hunt’s thought behind the painting was a revelation to me—that there was no handle on the door. The painting enlightens to give a greater understanding of the passage from Revelation, that it is up to us whether or not we will open the door. Jesus first knocks and then waits for a response. Jesus, the Light of the World, stands at the door, not to break it down and push His way in, but He waits patiently like a gentleman, for us to open the door of our heart and invite Him in. The King of the Universe wants to be a part of our lives! He wants to sup with us, which really means He wants fellowship with us.
The unkempt appearance on the outside of the door signifies what is behind the door as well. Some folks may feel they aren’t ready or that their “house” is too messy, in need of a good cleaning first. If Jesus were standing outside my real home and I invited Him in I suppose I might be a little concerned about messes here and there. But, in our spiritual home, God does not require us to clean up first but to simply open the door. Any cleaning up to be done will be accomplished by Jesus after He comes in. He will create in us a new heart and will clean all the rooms in our “home.” He stands at the door . . . won’t you invite Him in? May this song, “Who At My Door is Standing,” be our prayer today:
Who at my door is standing, Patiently drawing near,
Entrance within demanding? Whose is the voice I hear?
Sweetly the tones are falling; “Open the door for Me!
If thou wilt heed My calling, I will abide with thee.”
Lonely without He’s staying; Lonely within am I;
While I am still delaying, Will He not pass me by?
Door of my heart, I hasten! Thee will I open wide.
Though He rebuke and chasten, He shall with me abide.
Guest of our love He sees us, Opening now our door;
“Joyfully enter, Jesus, dwell with us evermore!”
~ song by Mary Slade
