The Door

An old double door, surrounded by stone, topped with a capstone showing the Alpha and Omega.

We are stood at a door..

Steps lead gently towards a doorway framed in stone.

Above the Keystone that holds all in perfect order, etched with the sign ‘everlasting to everlasting’. It’s face has seen the passage of time.

Nailed in place, heavy rusted hinges carry the burden. The weight clear for all to see.

A keyhole visible in the grain of the wood - It's shape a sign of hope.

One door sits slightly ajar, the other waits the rap of a visitor.

We stand in silence, for what feels like a lifetime..

Finally, we reach out a hand…

The 'Door card' and an envelope with a signpost for 'Emmaus' on it.

At some point in our lives I’m sure we have all found ourselves waiting outside a door wondering, hesitantly if we should go inside or not. Perhaps this was whilst waiting to attend an interview, a first day at school, university or work.

We find ourselves worrying about how it will all play out. What will people be like? Will we know what to say? Will we know what to do?

We have all been there.

The image of the door is a visible reminder of both the separation we sometimes feel and at the same time the journey that awaits just out of sight.

For us, here now - I’d also like this door to be a reminder of an invitation two disciples made to a stranger they encountered on the road to Emmaus. An invitation to come in and rest with them and share a meal after a long journey.

Opening a door to walk through or to invite others in is an act of courage. It is never passive.

There are some certainties with all doors. When we pass through them, or let others in the experiences we have shape and change us. The people we encounter, the adventures we share. Life changes. We are transformed.

I wonder… Can you think of a story or film where individuals pass through a door or gate and go on to have amazing life changing adventures?

Reading : Luke 24: 28-33

28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going further. 29 But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’

33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together

Reading : Matthew 7:7-12

Ask, Seek, Knock

7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

The words ‘Ask, Seek, and Knock’ in this passage are not merely one-off actions. They are a call to continually ask, seek and knock. It is much more than an activity it is a mind and heart set.

It is not a verse that tells us that we will get all WE desire or WANT but it illustrates a perspective that draws us into a closer relationship with Christ.

Close enough to ask… Close enough to seek out.. Brave enough to knock.

The Emmaus encounter in Luke’s Gospel likens it to ‘hearts burning within us’.

His followers invite the stranger to stay with them. For it was nearly evening. These were dangerous times for Christ’s followers. It would have been understandable if they had simply let the stranger go on his way. But they don't, something tells them to invite him in. To share a meal together.

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him

They invited Him in - broke bread, gave thanks and they recognised him.

Inside of the card reads.. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him.

But the encounter we find on the Emmaus road also tells us much more..

We witness the attitude of Christ’s followers who show concern and care for a lonely traveller. This is an outlook that runs counter to a worldly perspective where individuals place themselves at the centre. This took place to a backdrop of persecution and fear. Christ’s followers are called to a life of active service where we look to the needs of others.

In Matthew 25 verses 35-40 this is clearly emphasised..

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

We are followers of Christ, we are to ask, seek and knock with Hearts that burn within us.

Finally, our reading from Luke shows the disciples do something amazing.. They throw open the door and head off to tell others. They are no longer hiding. They are heading back to Jerusalem. They have something to say. Someone to tell everyone about.

Our presence in the community.. as a Christian community transforms lives and at all times points to a doorway, not the physical door behind which we gather, but to the door of our hearts, beyond which we can meet with Christ and invite Him in. A door that opens towards his gift of love, hope and life eternal.

We are a loving community of witness tasked with a mission and a message.. As the closing paragraphs in Matthews Gospel remind us.. Jesus said to his followers.. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age.

We too are to fling wide the doors and carry the Gospel message lovingly, creatively and courageously.