"SHUT"

“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” (Revelation 3:7-8)

I’ve been riding my bike through the little town of Bulverde, Texas for a few months now. Right on Bulverde Rd. there’s a business that is closed most of the time when I ride by. In fact, I thought it was out of business and permanently shuttered until one time I finally saw an “OPEN” sign on the front door. Every other time I’ve ridden by there’s been a bright yellow sign on the door with big red letters reading “SHUT”. The first time I saw that sign it struck me as rather harsh. Most businesses nowadays have the generic neon “OPEN” sign like you see them selling at Costco. When it’s lit, you know the business is open. When it’s turned off you know the store is closed. The neon light is inviting. Turn the light off and the invitation disappears. But the red letters “SHUT” on a bright yellow sign are stark. The message is strong. It’s almost forbidding. “Stay away! You’re not welcome! No admittance! Keep out!” It made me feel like I wasn’t sure I wanted to patronize that business even when it was “OPEN”.

It’s one thing to see the word “SHUT” on the door of a business. It’s something much worse to see the word “SHUT” on the door to heaven. Jesus told us that he is the One who holds “the key of David,” that is, the key to the Kingdom of Heaven. When those doors are “SHUT”, Jesus says, no one can open them. What is it that bars the door to heaven so strongly that not even the strongest person could possibly pry them open? It’s sin! Every one of us who appears at heaven’s door burdened with sin will see that bright yellow sign with big red letters, “SHUT”. It won’t be a pretty sight. But none of us has to appear at heaven’s door burdened with sin. Jesus has already borne our sin on the cross. He took it away. It’s been blotted out. Removed, as far as the east is from the west. Drowned in the depths of the sea. Paid in full. Sin’s crimson stain has been washed white as snow. We’re free the moment we trust in Jesus. As a result, when we appear at Heaven’s door there will be no “SHUT” sign. Because the door Jesus has opened, no one can shut.

There’s a wonderful song by the group “Newsong” that says it beautifully.

Heaven’s gates were closed
And there seemed to be no hope for fallen man
We were prisoners of our sin
With no way to enter in but God had a plan
The Father knew there had to be a perfect sacrifice
So Jesus came, a cross was raised and when He laid down his life

Wide open, wide open
They nailed his arms wide open
After three days in a cold grave
The power of sin was broken
Now with outstretched arms He welcomes in
Everyone who trusts in him
His nail-scarred hands hold heaven’s gates wide open

Wide open! How much better is that than “SHUT”? So the next time you see the invitingly lit neon “OPEN” sign in the window of a business, smile and think about the wide open gates of heaven that are waiting for you at the end of life’s journey.