the door with no handle

There’s a very famous painting by the artist William Holman Hunt, called ‘The Light of the World’.

It shows Jesus wearing a crown of thorns and standing outside a door that’s overgrown with ivy. He’s carrying a lantern and knocking on the door, but also looking out of the picture at us. Holman Hunt, who was a Christian, included the text:

“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.” - Revelation 3:20

The shut door has no handle on the outside. It can only be opened from within.

Sometimes, without realising it, our lives can get overgrown, when our hearts aren’t used to being open. Hardened opinions, hurt from the past, bitterness we’ve shared or relationships we’ve lost? We say things like, “I’ll not make that mistake again!” or “I’ll never trust, I’ll never be able to forgive...” Tears run deep sometimes. And hurt is painful to hold on to.

But here, the Bible’s giving us the first step to help us deal with it. Open your heart to Jesus - the Saviour-King who promises to be with us in our suffering, taking our wounds and bringing our healing. He is, as Holman Hunt described, the light of the world, and He’s waiting for you, just the other side of the Door with No Handle. Only you can let Him in.