Annapolis has many beautiful houses. More specifically, they have many lovely entranceways.  As I walk this around the downtown, I’m struck by the care homeowners take to prettify their front doors. I photograph the ones that strike me.

Some are elegant, classic and celebrate the rich wood.

Others have a playful use of color. This one reminds me of the Lollipop Guild in Munchkinland.

Running through my brain is Revelation 3:20. Just this past week, a sermon I heard focused on it, so it’s in the foyer of my mind:

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

I confess that this is how I’ve been taught to view the verse.  Gentle Jesus, lightly tapping, just hoping that the homeowner might awaken to hear him and allow him entry.

But as I meditate on this, I want to factor in who Jesus is.  He is the one who built the house, the one who gifted it to the homeowner, who prepared the hearts of the inhabitants for his visit, who told them of his impending coming and his intent to fellowship with them.

This is why, when he shows up at the door, he announces, “Here I am!”  (Or, in older translations, “Behold!”)  He anticipates a quick response.  We all know how, when expecting guests, we peer outside at the slightest noise.  Maybe it’s them!

Jesus comes confidently, joyfully knocking.  And he calls out to those inside, presumably by name.  (“If anyone hears my voice…”)  Jesus expects to be welcomed.  And he intends to celebrate with his friends.

This cannon knocker points me toward the grace in all this.  We are so accustomed to this verse that we forget the amazing love embedded in it.  Jonathan Edwards, in his inimical uppercut directness, puts it like this:

Christ condescends not only to call you to him, but he comes to you; he comes to your door, and there knocks. He might send an officer and seize you as a rebel and vile malefactor, but instead of that, he comes and knocks at your door, and seeks that you would receive him into your house, as your Friend and Savior.

Jesus could have come in by force of arms.  But he loves us so much that, after he has prepared our hearts to hear his voice, he allows us to make the final decision to welcome him in.

Like these two rockers, this Jesus’s entering is meant for fellowship.  As Alexander Maclaren has written, opening the door “shall make all life as a feast in company with Him.”

This isn’t a once-a-lifetime visit.  Or a family gathering for the holidays.  This is a daily meal Jesus intends to bless with his presence.

I wonder how often I have the volume of life turned up too high to hear him at the door.

Jesus, how kind you are to come to us!  You have done everything to get this time of fellowship ready but allow us to host you.  Tune our ears to hear your knock!

Reader: What was the best moment you’ve had opening the door to a visitor?  I’d love to hear the story.

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