Thursday, May 17, 2012

Someone's knocking at the door, somebody's ringing the bell

I hope it doesn't seem irreverent, but when I see this painting by William Holman Hunt, I think of Paul McCartney's song Let 'Em In. I'm not overly fond of many old fashioned, religious paintings. They are often too saccharine for my taste. But this one I love. First, it shows Jesus clothed as a King. Second, have you ever noticed that there's no knob or latch on the outside of the door on which He knocks. I love that. The artist is telling us that the one on the other side of the door must open it. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

I'm glad I opened the door to let Him in.


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25 comments:

  1. amyMay 17, 2012 at 11:45 AM

    yes! i love this entire post jodi. i'm so glad you did too. and that i did. can't wait to hang with you on the other side of the door:) love you.

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  2. JodiMay 17, 2012 at 11:48 AM

    Amy, yes and we'll feast together!

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  3. UnknownMay 17, 2012 at 12:25 PM

    I love it. I love thinking about paintings and seeing the secret messages.

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  4. Brian MillerMay 17, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    huh i had never noticed about there not being a latch on the outside...some cool symbolism in that...

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  5. JodiMay 17, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    Ostrich and Brian, yeah, I've always love symbolism in art. You see a lot, especially in old paintings and portaits. I have a print of a Renaissance woman. In the painting, she is pointing to her right sleeve. The left sleeve is lacy, the right sleeve has a protective cover. She's telling you she's a writer. Cool, huh?

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  6. KitMay 17, 2012 at 1:23 PM

    Hi Jodi! I didn't know this painting before, but I love the things you pointed out. Now I get the song you posted on FB. Nice.

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  7. Come Away With MeMay 17, 2012 at 2:02 PM

    I've read about this painting before but never seen it. So glad I opened that door...though I resisted for the longest time, way back when!

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  8. Southern GalMay 17, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    I never noticed the latch or knob missing there. Must be your artistic eye. ;)

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  9. Nancy FransonMay 17, 2012 at 3:16 PM

    I love the way you help me to see.

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  10. It's Just DottieMay 17, 2012 at 3:16 PM

    I am like you. I am so thankful I answered His knock so very long ago.
    Smiles, Dottie

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  11. Joy LakeMay 17, 2012 at 4:46 PM

    I don't think that's irreverent, I like it! That picture always reminds me of the time Alex and I tried to make a periscope out of a wrapping paper roll and two hand mirrors that had that picture on back. We were trying to spy on the tv after we went to bed. Unfortunately the picture on back the mirrors obstructed the periscope haha... anyway, I also like this picture. Great observations.

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  12. JodiMay 17, 2012 at 4:51 PM

    Dear Joy, obstructed or convicted? Wah wah. ;D

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  13. Joy LakeMay 17, 2012 at 4:55 PM

    Too predictable, Acorn ;)

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  14. UnknownMay 17, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    P.S. I'm still thinking about my doorbell :)

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  15. JodiMay 17, 2012 at 5:36 PM

    JoAnn, me too. :)

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  16. KimMay 17, 2012 at 8:57 PM

    I love this as well, he surely is a King, never an overbearing or pushy King, and wanting for all to open the door. This conjures up images of the Lion laying down with the Lamb for me. Yes.... so grateful that our future can be so beautifully depicted in art. Love this post!

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  17. angelinaMay 18, 2012 at 12:20 AM

    beautiful jodi, brings a tear. he is marvelous.x

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  18. AmyMay 18, 2012 at 7:06 AM

    Sounds like a beautiful thought to me. I wasn't familiar with this painting, but I like being introduced, especially along with your mental song and thought pattern.
    We just returned from a trip and I took a photo of a bee on a flower in your honor:) I posted it today. I get too overwhelmed to blog while traveling, but I smiled when you left your comment on my California trip post because I saw it right after visiting Monticello where I took the bee picture! Now we'll be home for awhile:)

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  19. Janie FoxMay 18, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    I have never seen this painting before. I love it and your insight. You is smart. :)

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  20. CherylMay 18, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    I saw the original as a child. It made such an impression on me. I still have the postcard from the visit. Definitely the kind of painting that needs a bench in front of it, so that you can look and think. I'm gld you like it too.

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  21. LeslieMay 18, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    not irreverent (the song) and i've never seen this painting! i like the way the artist painted His face. i also like that exchange between you and joy in the comments ;)

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  22. a soulful lifeMay 18, 2012 at 10:58 AM

    I love this painting. I have never seen it before. It is magical!
    Yes, I'm glad I knocked on that door too :)

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  23. Alecia SimerskyMay 20, 2012 at 2:10 PM

    I've never seen that picture, but I love it!

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  24. Ramblings by Carol NuckolsMay 21, 2012 at 8:32 AM

    I'm not familiar with this painting, but it's beautiful. Viewing it on my laptop, I never would have noticed that there's no latch or handle on the door. Interesting.
    Personally, I think there are a lot of old religious paintings that aren't saccharine, but instead have a lot of symbolism. Mary and the baby Jesus, often saccharine. Martyred saints, not saccharine. Lots of thought-provoking subjects between those two extremes.

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  25. UnknownMay 21, 2012 at 9:18 AM

    I've never seen this painting before . Thank you for sharing. It's beautiful.

    as are you.

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