Knock, Knock (Who's there?)
The Blessing of Answering the Door
When I was growing up, people often knocked on our front door.
In the days before the proliferation of personal cellphones, home security cameras, and delivery tracking apps, we actually answered the door without knowing who would be on the other side.
Sometimes the visitor would be a neighborhood boy asking me to come play. As the son of a social worker in a small town, sometimes the knock would bring someone looking for my mom seeking help to understand a government form or piece of mail. Sometimes the knock would reveal a pair of Witnesses or young missionaries from the Latter-Day Saints distributing religious literature. Sometimes it would be a student selling candy bars for the high school band or a tree trimming company seeking to offer estimates for their services.
The only way to know who was knocking was to answer the door.
During local election season a few years ago, I heard a knock and went to our door and was met by a man seeking my vote and support. As a relative newcomer to the community, I had never met him before, but we spoke briefly, and he left some follow-up information. The conversation took less than ten minutes, but I was glad he had made the effort to knock on my door.
We did not agree on every issue, but I appreciated the time he invested to go out and meet potential voters. Although I had not known him before, I took notice of his name on my ballot, and the only reason I recognized it was because he knocked on my door. We have since interacted several times at ballgames and in community meetings, and we maintain a positive relationship based on that first meeting at my front door.
Occasionally, a package will arrive that requires a signature, and the driver will knock on the door. If neither Ann Marie or I are home, the driver will leave a sticker brightly declaring “Sorry we missed you!” with instructions on how to retrieve the package. If you can’t (or don’t) go to the door, you miss the opportunity to claim what is being delivered.
While part of the equation is being in the right place at the right time, I must also be willing to respond when I hear the knock. If I am too distracted, too busy, or simply unwilling to answer, I might protect my privacy and my time in the short term, but I also may miss a blessing intended just for me.
In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “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.”
In this short text written to early Christians, we are told what Jesus desires. He wants an open door. While Jesus ultimately desires a relationship leading to worship, devotion, and service, He initially wants us to open up the door of our lives to Him.
The Lord of all the universe is seeking to enjoy our presence. He wants to be welcomed into our hearts, our homes, and our lives. He desires our friendship and fellowship. Once we have opened ourselves to His presence and blessing, He wants us to share in extending His invitation to others.
If you want to see Jesus, you have to open the door.
If you want to be delivered from sin, you have to open the door.
If you want the gift of salvation, you have to open the door.
If you want to mature in your faith, you have to open the door.
If you want to share Him with others, you have to open the door.
None of us can live the life of faith if we choose to keep our lives closed off to Jesus. He wants to be welcomed and to provide the blessings that we can only experience in His presence. Not only initial salvation through receiving Him, but all subsequent growth and deepening comes through abiding in His presence. To enjoy these blessings, we must hear His voice, acknowledge our need, and day after day, open more of our lives to Him.
He will not force us to receive Him. He will not break in without our consent. We will never enjoy the fullness of His blessings unless we freely and fully welcome Him into every aspect of our lives. As we hear His knock, may we open up and celebrate the joy of sharing all we are with Him.