He Spoke in a Way I Would Understand

Gracing the living room wall of my childhood home hung a picture of Jesus standing outside a rustic, arched, wooden door, his hand poised to knock. Even at a young age I understood this picture was of Jesus knocking on the door of someone’s heart. Whoever lived on the other side of that door needed to let Him in.

The picture symbolized the call to salvation, a depiction of Revelation 3:20 that says, “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.” (NKJV) I could not have known this picture’s simple but powerful illustration of Jesus knocking at the door would play a significant part in my life.

When I was six years old, my church welcomed a singing evangelist. Singing was a big deal in my family, so I had extra respect for him because of his talent. The Lord had more for me, though, than beautiful singing. While the minister preached, my heart began pounding. Thump. Thump. Thump! I knew what those strong thumps were. Jesus was knocking on the door of my heart! I needed to let Him in! I needed to be saved. That night I went to the altar.

It wasn’t until I was grown up and reflecting on this experience that I realized God had spoken to me back then in a way He knew I would understand. The Lord knew about the picture hanging in my home of Jesus knocking at the door. He knew I understood the concept of Jesus knocking on the door of someone’s heart to mean that person needs to get saved. So, during that altar call from the singing evangelist, when I had that inner prompt of my heart pounding in response to the message, I understood that was Jesus knocking and knew what He was asking of me.

Realizing the God of all creation spoke to me in such a personal and knowledgeable manner blessed my heart and affected my perspective of Him. He demonstrated He is a personal Savior who communicates personally with people. He does so with the supernatural knowledge of every detail of our lives, even the innermost and unseen parts of us like our thoughts and what we understand. Knowing this comforts me and helps me draw closer to Him. It also encourages me to trust Him to continue dealing with my heart in ways I understand.

Jesus wants to be your personal Savior, too. He died for our sins and rose again so He could erase the sin that separates us from God. Because of Jesus, we have the opportunity to be saved. Jesus said in Mark 1:15 (KJV), “…The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Believe in Jesus, repent of (ask for forgiveness for and turn back from) all sins, and trust in the reconciliatory work He did on the cross.

If you sense Jesus is knocking on your heart’s door or beckoning to you in some way, I hope you will open the door of your heart to Him today.