“There was only a knock.”

A thought by Max Lucado from his book, Because of Bethlehem (with Bonus Content): Love Is Born, Hope Is Here (pp. 52-53). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

We are in the midst of the Christmas Season.  It is such a special time of the year.  So much to do, so much to get, so much to give.  But it all started with a knock on the door of an inn in Bethlehem and it was late at night.

Max says, “A knock at the door . . . by a common couple . . . at a late hour . . . when the inn was crowded. So, the innkeeper missed the opportunity.”

Max goes on, “Many still do. They miss the chance to open the door. They let the birth of Jesus pass them by. The miracle of Bethlehem still happens. God enters the hamlets of our lives and speaks to us. He speaks through scriptures, sunsets, the kindness of a friend, or the warning of a medical report. He sings to us through Christmas carols. He calls to us through Christmas sermons. He reaches out through the Christmas story.

“’Here I am!’ Jesus invites. ‘I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me’ (Rev. 3: 20 NCV).”

Max says, “I have a friend who works with churches in Papua New Guinea. Many in their culture don’t knock on doors. They stand at the doorframe and politely cough to announce their presence. When Bible translators tried to explain the idea of Jesus knocking on the door, it made no sense to the locals. The missionaries solved the cross-cultural problem by rendering the verse ‘I stand at the door and cough.’

“Whether Jesus is clearing his throat or tapping on the door, the point is the same. He is gentle and polite. He never forces his way in… Life is crowded. Your life is crowded. Heaven knows, you already have more than you can do. And because heaven knows, Jesus comes not with a list of things for you to do but with a list of things he has already done and will do. Your death? Defeated. Your sins? Forgiven. Your fears? He will give you courage. Your questions? He will guide you. Jesus lifts burdens; he doesn’t add to them.”

Yes, the innkeeper missed the opportunity.  But Max says, “It’s never too late to come to Christ for help. Your stack of sins is never too high. Your list of failures is never too long. That knock at the door of your heart?  That’s Jesus.”

So, would you open the door and ask him to come in?  Would you?