0506. THE DIVINE VISITOR

THE DIVINE VISITOR

"Behold I stand at the door and knock" (Rev_3:20)

Christ knocking at the door is a proof that He has come very near, and that to bless us. It also implies His willingness to come in, and the heart’s reluctance to let Him in. Man’s nature is like a house with many rooms. The Lord knocks at the door of each apartment that He might have access to the whole house of Mansoul,

I. He Knocks as a Redeemer that He might save. Save the sleeping conscience from sleeping the sleep of death. As the One who paid the ransom for the soul, He knocks that He might get into possession of His blood-bought property, that it might be saved from the destructive hands of the enemy. "If any sinful man opens the door I will come in to Him" (Rev_3:20).

II. He Knocks as a Physician that He might heal. He knows that all the inmates of this house of Mansoul are sick and in need of His healing touch. The whole head is sick, the heart faint, and the hands and the knees are feeble. There is, in fact, "no soundness," the whole inner life has been polluted with the poison of sin. Behold, thy Healer is at the door. "If any sin-sick man opens the door I will come in to him" (Rev_3:20).

III. He Knocks as a Teacher that He might instruct. He is the great Teacher come from God who can anoint the eyes of His pupils with the heavenly eye-salve, that they may see and understand heavenly things. The minds, blinded by Satan, can be beautifully illumined by Him who is the Wisdom of God. "If any unlearned man opens the door I will come in to Him" (Rev_3:20).

IV. He Knocks as a King that He might rule. A life that is self-centred is a ruined one. As Lord He knocks that He might so get into that life which He hath redeemed by His life as to govern and control it for its own good and His glory. Until the King is enthroned within, the soul is under the bondage and tyranny of foolish and presumptuous self. He wishes the government of your life to be upon His shoulders, that there might be no mismanagement in the affairs of the soul. Although He is "King of our lives," He does not compel, He knocks. "If any man opens the door I will come in to him" (Rev_3:20).

V. He Knocks as a Merchantman that He might enrich. He knows the poverty of those who say that they are rich and have need of nothing. Unsearchable riches are in Himself, and infinite mercy and love has brought Him to the very door of your impoverished life that you might be filled out of His fullness. "I counsel you to buy of Me gold refined in the fire, that you may become rich" (Rev_3:18). You buy without money when you let the Merchant in. "If any poor man opens the door I will come in to him" (Rev_3:20).

VI. He Knocks as a Bridegroom that He might woo. His desire is not only to save, heal, teach, rule, and enrich, but to have the fellowship of those whom He hath blessed. He knocks at the door of the heart because He seeks admission into the affections. Three times Peter heard this knock, "Lovest thou Me" (Joh_21:15). Because He loves us so much, He is very jealous of our affections. If you have admitted Him as Saviour and King, surely you will give Him with your allegiance the love of your heart and the fellowship of your life. His love constrains Him to knock that our love might constrain us to open, so that every barrier between the soul and Christ may be removed, and unbroken communion enjoyed. "If anyone listens to My voice and opens the door I will come in" (Rev_3:20).

Autor: James Smith