INTRODUCTION
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock."
The speaker is the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us consider His gracious words.
1. A VERY IMPORTANT TERM
"Behold"
This word occurs 1,275 times in the Bible.
It is God’s way of getting us to consider carefully what He is about to tell us.
2. A VERY IMPORTANT TENSE
"I stand at the door"
Christ’s words are in the present tense. He does not say "I stood" but "I stand." This brings hope to every sinner. Jesus is still standing at the door of the heart. But for how much longer?
3. A VERY IMPORTANT TAP
"and knock"
O Jesus, thou art knocking;
And lo, that hand is scarred,
And thorns thy brow encircle,
And tears thy face have marred:
O love that passeth knowledge,
So patiently to wait!
O sin that hath no equal,
So fast to bar the gate!
Holman Hunt’s famous painting depicts Jesus standing outside a door with a light in His hand. He is knocking on the door. When that painting was first finished, a man looked at it and commented to the painter, “You made a mistake.” Holman Hunt replied, “Where is the mistake?” The critic said, “You forgot to paint a handle on the outside of the door.” Hunt responded, “There is no mistake. The handle is on the inside. Jesus knocks, but you must open the door!”
Behold me standing at the door,
And hear me pleading evermore,
With gentle voice: O heart of sin,
May I come in? May I come in?
I bore the cruel thorns for thee,
I waited long and patiently:
Say, weary heart, oppressed with sin,
May I come in? May I come in?
Behold me standing at the door,
And hear me pleading evermore:
Say, weary heart, oppressed with sin,
May I come in? May I come in?
