by Pat Nordman

Here we are confronted with one of the sublime "I Ams." In this verse, Jesus is presented as the guest of our heart who actively seeks us. Dr. Alexander Maclaren tells of a painting: "He who is the light of the world stands, girded with the royal mantle clasped with the priestly breast-plate, bearing in His hand the lamp of truth, and there, amidst the dew of night and the rank hemlock, He pleads for entrance at the closed door which has no handle on its outer side, and is hinged to open only from within."

Our Jesus can't become any more human than fellowshipping with us at the table. "Come and dine on My heavenly bread of comfort," He pleads with us. In His great I AM's, He tells us, "I AM the Staff of Consolation on which you can lean; I AM the Bread which you can eat to gain strength; I AM the Good Shepherd who will lead you through your valley; I AM your very present help in this time of trouble."

I Am–not was or will be. What precious comfort there is in this promise. "I AM all that you need," He demonstrates and remonstrates ith us with a love we cannot comprehend. With some of us He must knock loudly and repeatedly through what we perceive as sorrows. When He finally gets our attention and we open the door that was once closed through ignorance and indifference, then He brings to our hearts and houses His feast of love and pleasant communion. He makes up our deficiencies with His sufficiencies and gives us such satisfaction that we will finally gladly respond to His Word and the impulses of the Holy Spirit–for these are the knockings at our heart and door. And how grateful we should be that He will never close that door.