“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) How does God knock at our door and how do we respond? The Song of Solomon gives us insights. (Song of Solomon 5: 3-6)
1) Seeking entry: The bridegroom comes to the home of the bride. In five ways, he seeks entry. First, he knocks and expects the bride to respond. Second, he says: ‘Open to me.’ Third, he praises the bride calling her sister, love, dove and perfect. Four, he appeals that he is undergoing discomfort of being wet due to dew. Five, he places his hands on the latch, but does not force open.
2) Excuses: The bride was not spontaneous in response. She says that she slept but was awake. She heard the knocking, heard his voice and even his hand meddling the latch of the door. First, she claimed that she was in night dress, and cannot change and come. She could have asked him to wait and quickly make changes. That means she was eager to please him. Second, she said he had washed her feet, gone to sleep, will not like to get dirty again. That shows her laziness. Bridegroom was getting wet and dirty because of dew; she was selfish to consider only her problem. Third, she expected him to gate crash into the house. Gentle loving Lord will not violate our freedom of choice.
3) Missed: When she woke up finally, he had already left. She sought him but could not be found. When she called there was no response from him. She missed her opportunity. Earlier the bridegroom was calling, but the bride was not ready. When the bride was ready, he had left. Like the five foolish virgins she also was in the right place, right time, but not with right attitude and preparation. (Matthew 25: 1-13) The bride said: ‘my soul failed me’ when he spoke. That means she was unprepared for his arrival.
Do I joyfully respond to his knock?