“KNOCK! KNOCK!” “WHO’S THERE?”

We may enjoy the telling and hearing of “Knock! Knock!” jokes. Some are pretty funny and catch us by surprise while others may be rather dumb. However, there is a situation which makes for a very sad “Knock! Knock!” joke. Though it has been said, “When God closes a door, He opens a window”, the truth is, sometimes God just closes a door and that’s it.

In one of Jesus’ kingdom parables -- the parable of the ten virgins ( Matthew 25:1-13) -- we find opportunity to enter found and opportunity lost. Though it may be true that opportunity does often knock more than once, anticipating another opportunity could be nothing more than a dangerous gamble.

In reference to the five foolish virgins, we read…
“(10) And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT. (11) Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ (12) But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you. ’” ( Matthew 25:10-12 ESV)

“Knock! Knock!” “Who’s there? … I don’t know you! You lost your opportunity!” Such makes for a very bad joke because the implication is that souls are at stake. Jesus warned it can happen. The door can BE SHUT and left so. He then urged for watchfulness because we do not know when that time might come. ( Matthew 25:13)

Let us “strive to enter through the narrow door” ( Luke 13:24) because WHEN IT IS SHUT, IT IS SHUT. ( Luke 13:25) No backdoor to go around to. No window to climb through. Just a door that was once opened, but then closed, SHUTTING out those who were not ready when it was open for entrance. May we always be watchful and prepared so as to not miss the opportunity God provides to enter into His glorious blessings.

Have a great day LIVING WATCHFULLY PREPARED FOR GOD’S OPPORTUNITIES!
Carl

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