The Knock

"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in....." Revelation 3:20....."The picture of Jesus standing outside the door of His own church is tragic." Chris Tiegreen

We've all seen the little cards with the portrait of Jesus, standing at the door, which represents a human heart, seeking entry. We love the picture, but most of us miss the true meaning. We see it as an evangelistic portrait, that of Jesus entering into the heart of the lost soul. That's partly true, but it is not the heart of lost, unbelieving people the portrait represents. It's His seeking entry into His lost church. A church that somehow has drifted from Him, leaving Him standing outside of it, while He seeks entry into what is already His. A church that is His, but that has on so many levels, forgotten Him. It is indeed a tragic picture.

Friends, we are the church, and the question must be asked of each one of us; where have we left Him outside of our hearts? In what areas has He become unwelcome? Where is He seen as an intruder, not an abider? We've likely heard some form of the illustration of the homeowner who always has at least one room of their house that's off-limits to any visitor. One room that no one is invited to see. One room where all the trash that they want no one to see is kept. Where is our "one room" in our hearts? Where does He stand, gently knocking, seeking entry, and being steadfastly denied?

We need to expand the question beyond the individual and onto our fellowships. Fellowships that make up His Body, His church. What areas of the church is He not invited into? What topics are off limits as concerns our preaching and teaching. Off limits because they may offend. Where might there be matters of sinful behaviors and patterns that aren't addressed because if they were, people may leave, growth may be stymied, finances choked? Where might He be knocking, but as elders and leaders, we aren't listening, and He keeps gently knocking, standing outside the door of His own church?

May we, as individuals and as a Body yield to His searching knock. Even more, as we hear it, may we open the door. May we no longer be a part of a tragic picture.

Blessings,

Pastor O