Snark & Sensibility

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In the narthex of the church where I grew up hung a reproduction of Warner Sallman’s well-known painting, Christ at Heart’s Door. The picture fascinated me, even though I didn’t know then it referenced Revelation 3:20: “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” (NASB). 

The door in the painting looked heavy and old to me, as if it hadn’t been opened in a long time, and I imagined it would creak and groan on rusty hinges if it were. Neglect of the house was evident by the encroaching bushes and trees.

Yet a serene Jesus was standing in front, his head slightly inclined as if he were listening to see if anyone was home, one hand poised to knock. His white garment and gentle face were bathed in a soft light (much later, I discovered the light and the door frame produce the faint outline of a heart, hence the painting’s name). The scene was one of great stillness and expectancy.

Today, I have a small copy of that painting that I see every day. Not only does it evoke pleasant childhood memories, but more importantly, now that I understand its meaning, I see the work of art as a graphic illustration of two gospel truths—one thrilling, the other sobering. 

First, to think that the Creator of the universe came looking for me! I didn’t have to search him out—he pursued me. And not only me, but everyone! And as I became more familiar with Revelation 3:20, I realized Jesus not only knocks, he calls out as well.

And therein lies the rub. Many of my loved ones have gotten quite good at not answering—they’ve declared they’re “not at home,” and have devised all sorts of ways to drown out or ignore the sound of both his rapping and his voice. They don’t want to welcome him in or sit down with him, much less ask him to stay for dinner.

No matter how much I encourage them and pray for them to hear and answer, I bump up against another visual from Sallman’s work: the door has no outside knob. It can only be opened from the inside.

The Savior never crosses the threshold of human will without permission. He certainly has the power to break down the door, but he doesn’t. The only way he’ll enter is by invitation.         

The message of Revelation 3:20 has been pondered throughout the ages, the concept of human free will residing alongside God’s choice a hard-to-grasp paradox, the decision to answer or not left to each individual, a conundrum.

How astonishing that God lets us choose. Yet how terrible to contemplate when eternal life hangs in the balance.

But Jesus never gives up knocking and calling.

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’” (Revelation 22:17 NASB)

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