“Behold. I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”  (Revelation 3:20)

I don’t know how many times as a youth I sat around a campfire or on a log seat at an outdoor retreat chapel and sang the words,  “Seek and ye shall find; knock and the door shall be opened, ask, and it shall be given, and the love comes a-tricklin’ down.”  The words must have stuck with me, for many times as an adult I have used them as advice to others on how to act in given situations.  For instance, if someone would ask me about making an application for a job opening, I will often say, “Hey it’s a door.  Walk through it.  You may or may not get the job, but you’ll never know unless you walk through the door.”  As we give such advice, we pray that the actions we have prompted in others are delivered with wise counsel.

There are times in my life when I have just wanted to be apart from the world – away from the bombardment, confusion, and criticism of others.  On those days as I would unlock the door to my house, I would suddenly feel a sense of relief because I was home. It’s amazing when we cross the threshold and close the door behind us, we can take a deep breath and feel secure. It is there that I frequently find comfort and peace in the loving arms of Jesus. Many Christians are touched in a similar manner when they walk through the door of a church.  In fact, as you pass from town to town you may notice that many church doors are painted red often used to symbolize the blood of Christ and the protection that He offers us through salvation.

So much of what we create in life depends upon our actions.  However, we come to find that salvation is different. It is a response, not an action.  When Christ says, “I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20), He is giving us a choice.  Similarly, when someone comes to your house and knocks, you can either answer the door or anticipate that they will go away.  Our answering or not answering is a response, not an action. Jesus pursues us by knocking at the door of our heart.  Those who respond by opening their heart to Him shall come to adore His presence, for He will supply a rich feast of comfort and grace.

As we enter this holiest of all weeks in the Christian calendar, let us remember that He is the door (John 10:7). From the cup that is shared during the Last Supper, to the blood shed on the cross of Calvary – the acts of salvation are something that He alone can give.  Our response to His great love for us is there for the taking.  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). And so He says to each of us – “Behold,” or “Here I am.”

REFLECTION:  Where have you found places of refuge and comfort in your spiritual journey?  During this Holy Week, allow yourself to reflect on the great debt that Jesus paid on your behalf. As you consider the acceptance of salvation in your life, do you see it more as an action on your part or as a response to God’s abundant love for you?

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