Knock, Knock
My four-year-old granddaughter, J.J., is really into Knock, Knock jokes. Recently we spent quite a bit of time together entertaining ourselves by telling jokes. If you are not familiar with this type of silliness, it goes something like this: “Knock, knock. Who’s there? Adore. Adore who? Adore is between us. Open up!” I know this type of humor is quite ridicules, but coming from a four-year-old it is hilarious. When reading the knock, knock verses in the Bible, I can’t stop thinking about this playful exchange with my granddaughter, yet the Bible is no joke. It is for real.
The Bible says that Jesus stands at the door and knocks. If we open the door, He will come in. (Rev. 3.20) He waits for our invitation and desire for Him to come into our lives. He looks forward to our response. Jesus also says that if we knock at His door, He will open the door. (Mat. 7.7) Now, why would someone knock, if they didn’t expect someone to open the door? This verse also says that when we ask we will receive and when we seek we will find. With each of these there is an expectation. We wouldn’t ask, knock or seek if we knew there would be no response. We expect a response. This is faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. (Heb. 11.1) It is knowing that when we ask, we will receive, that when we knock, it will be opened and that when we seek, we will find.
Our asking, knocking and seeking can be done consciously or unconsciously. Just the fact of focusing our attention on something activates this principle. We can stand at the door of fear and say: “I know I can’t pass this exam.” Or, “It is impossible to land this dream job.” Or, “No way can I make that goal.” Knock, Knock. Henry Ford once said: “Whether you think you can, or you can’t, you’re usually right.” How often do we focus on what we cannot do? Try knocking at Jesus’ door. The one that says: “I can do all things, through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4.13)
Isaiah Thomas, a professional Hall of Fame basketball player for the Detroit Pistons, is an example of an athlete who focused on winning, rather than the eminent defeat. In 1988, the Pistons’, for the first time, were in the NBA finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. One of Thomas’ most inspiring and defining moments came in game 6 of the series. He severely sprained his ankle in the third quarter, yet continued to play. While hobbling and in great pain, he scored 25 points in a single quarter, setting an NBA finals record. He had set his mind on winning. He was knocking at the right door.
Before asking, define what you really want. Does it have to do with real or felt needs? In receiving, will it enhance your relationship with God and better your effectiveness with others? Is it the door you really want opened? Maybe you should first open the door of your heart to Jesus. He will then come into your life and show you what you should ask for, the door you should knock at and the best thing to seek after. Jesus says: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” (Mat. 6.33)
Scriptures to meditate on:
Mat. 7.7; Rev. 3.20; Phil. 4.13; Heb. 11.1; Prov. 3.6; James 4.3