By:
Edited by Heyman Wreford
ONE cold winter’s night, a poor, shivering, half-starved child was drawn to the steps of a large house by the frequent opening and shutting of the front door. Every time it opened, happy voices were heard, and a flood of light streamed into the street. Every now and then people ran up the steps, the door flew open, and they entered to the beautiful light and happy voices within. “Might there not be room for her there?” she thought. She ventured up the steps, and sank wearily down on the cold stone, and listened to the soft music that stole upon her ear, and she blindly wondered if heaven was there.
“Oh, would not that door open and let her in?” She watched the door, and wished and waited, and waited and wondered, and wished and waited.
“Would the door open at her knock?” At last she knocked. What answer? A rough voice said, “Be off! “Two persons brushed past her, and, as the door opened wide to them, the sight of the beautiful light filled her with desire, and she strove to follow after.
“No room for you here,” cried the voice, and a rough grasp shoved her back into the pitiless night, and, shivering and frightened, she ran down the dark, frozen street.
That night a policeman found a child by the roadside, perishing with hunger and cold. Poor thing! Was there no friendly door for her? Yes, one; the best in all the world—better than the great house door; and whoever knocks will never knock in vain. It opens as quickly to the faint knock of the humblest child as to a king on his throne. It says, “Knock, and it shall be opened.” Do not be afraid; you will not be rudely sent away; only knock. This door is Jesus Christ. He tells us, “I am the Door.” Through Him we enter into the beautiful light of our sins forgiven. Through Him we come to the happy voices of hope, love, and joy, and all the good. Through Him we go to heaven.
There is no other door for us out from this cold, dark world of sin.
Jesus Christ came to us. He has suffered for us; He has borne our punishment; He has pleaded in our behalf, and has opened a home for us in heaven. Go to Him; pray to Him; believe in Him; love Him. This is the way to enter the open door of His great and blessed salvation.