The Pen is Mightier than the Sword
The Light of the World
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Before we consider the surroundings of Holman Hunt’s painting, there is one other comment to make about the central figure. Hunt so painted his picture that wherever you stand to view it the eyes of Jesus seem to be looking directly at you. As the sightseer in St. Paul’s Cathedral moves along, the loving eyes of Christ seem to follow. The painter was depicting a scriptural truth, because we are never out of the sight of our Saviour. Many occasions in the Gospels illustrate this. For example, the dying thief would have looked into those loving eyes when he said, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Peter had already seen those same eyes following him when he denied his Lord, the cock crew, and, “The Lord turned and looked at Peter.” No matter where we go we cannot escape the eyes of Jesus.
The scene in which the figure of Christ has been placed - the surroundings - are of great significance, full of graphic detail, and are founded on Scripture. The first thing we may notice is that the door at which Jesus is knocking is all overgrown with dead weeds, trailing ivy, rusting hinges and rotting vegetation. Scattered around on the ground is to be seen rotten fruit. It is a scene of desolation. The door appears to have been shut and unused for so long that it illustrates the lifeless entrance of those whom Paul describes as “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). The door and its surroundings depict death. Paul also wrote, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). What Holman Hunt is trying to describe is that a life without Christ is no life at all. There is spiritual death although the person is physically alive and well.
But there is more, as we look closer at the door. The artist has painted no handle or latch on the outside. It can only be opened from within. Jesus, as King of kings and Lord of lords, as well as our High Priest (all of which He is) could break down that door if He wished. He could storm His way into the human heart or life if He wished to do so. But He doesn’t! He whispers gently, in the words of Proverbs 23:26, “My son, give me your heart.” There are those who are divided over this truth, although they shouldn’t be! It is true that on the one hand the Bible teaches the Divine Sovereignty of God, but on the other it also emphasises human responsibility, the sovereign gift of freewill. Jesus says, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door…” He also said in John 3:16, “…that whosoever believes in him…” The door to our lives has to be opened from within, using the handle or latch of repentance and faith.
When He was here on earth, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world.” In his painting, Holman Hunt has the central figure, depicting Christ, holding a lantern, lighting up Himself, His features, the doorway, and the way ahead. To those living in spiritual darkness He is waiting to enter their lives and flood it with the light of eternal life. So the Light of the World is saying, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock [literally, “I am constantly knocking.”] If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Notice how Jesus says, “I will come in…” not “maybe” or “hope to” or “like to”, but certainty in His promise, and He never breaks His promises.
But there is more, as we look closer at the door. The artist has painted no handle or latch on the outside. It can only be opened from within. Jesus, as King of kings and Lord of lords, as well as our High Priest (all of which He is) could break down that door if He wished. He could storm His way into the human heart or life if He wished to do so. But He doesn’t! He whispers gently, in the words of Proverbs 23:26, “My son, give me your heart.” There are those who are divided over this truth, although they shouldn’t be! It is true that on the one hand the Bible teaches the Divine Sovereignty of God, but on the other it also emphasises human responsibility, the sovereign gift of freewill. Jesus says, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door…” He also said in John 3:16, “…that whosoever believes in him…” The door to our lives has to be opened from within, using the handle or latch of repentance and faith.
When He was here on earth, Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world.” In his painting, Holman Hunt has the central figure, depicting Christ, holding a lantern, lighting up Himself, His features, the doorway, and the way ahead. To those living in spiritual darkness He is waiting to enter their lives and flood it with the light of eternal life. So the Light of the World is saying, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock [literally, “I am constantly knocking.”] If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Notice how Jesus says, “I will come in…” not “maybe” or “hope to” or “like to”, but certainty in His promise, and He never breaks His promises.
© 2005 Denis A. Wheadon. All rights reserved. Website: http://www.Pen4God.co.uk. This document is the property of the Author and
must not be displayed on any other websites without permission. Copies may be downloaded and printed for personal use only. Any contact with
the writer or comments concerning an article, can be made by email addressed to: denis.wheadon@Pen4God.co.uk
must not be displayed on any other websites without permission. Copies may be downloaded and printed for personal use only. Any contact with
the writer or comments concerning an article, can be made by email addressed to: denis.wheadon@Pen4God.co.uk
Holman Hunt’s well known painting, The Light of The World, which has hung in St. Paul’s Cathedral in London since 1904, is based on Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” The context of these words from the book of Revelation reveal that John was writing about a particular church which was out of fellowship and communion with Jesus Christ, who is the Head of the Church. It illustrates that it is possible for one person within such a Fellowship to become instrumental in opening the door and readmitting Christ, the Light of the World, into that Fellowship
However, Holman Hunt based his painting on an evangelistic theme. He depicted Christ as standing outside the door of the individual’s heart and life. This is the way this painting, and indeed Revelation 3:20 itself, has been used throughout the years, with the result that countless people of all ages, including boys and girls, receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour into their lives. Amongst those “countless people” was Holman Hunt himself! Anything that can be used as a tool for evangelism is worthy of consideration, so it is from the evangelistic theme of this painting that we consider it in this article.
The painting is dominated by the Man with the lantern, which gives it the familiar title, The Light of the World. However, there is much more to consider in this picture than just the central figure, as we shall see. But first, look at the position of that central figure. He is not facing the door. Holman Hunt painted Him turning away as if the Saviour is about to go. It gives the impression that He has been knocking for some time and has been waiting long enough. Now He is preparing to leave. This is not unscriptural, for Holman Hunt was aware of such Scripture as, “My Spirit will not always strive with man” - “Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation” - and - “Today, if you will not harden your heart.”
The painting is dominated by the Man with the lantern, which gives it the familiar title, The Light of the World. However, there is much more to consider in this picture than just the central figure, as we shall see. But first, look at the position of that central figure. He is not facing the door. Holman Hunt painted Him turning away as if the Saviour is about to go. It gives the impression that He has been knocking for some time and has been waiting long enough. Now He is preparing to leave. This is not unscriptural, for Holman Hunt was aware of such Scripture as, “My Spirit will not always strive with man” - “Now is the acceptable time; now is the day of salvation” - and - “Today, if you will not harden your heart.”