Brougham Hall Knocker

Attached to one of the entrances to Brougham Hall in Cumbria is a huge metal doorknocker in the style of a monster’s head. Local legend states that any fugitive who rapped on that door with the knocker was permitted sanctuary. I find this unlikely, seeing as the rich landowners who occupied Brougham Hall were the ones from whom poor outlaws were likely to be running. Still, it must have taken courage to approach this alarming entrance and heave on that great iron ring to hear it clatter, summoning who knows what from the bowels of that crenellated old house. Suffice to say, I took my picture and then my leave, without feeling the urge to knock and tarry.

The Lord Jesus describes Himself as ‘the door’. He is both entrance to heaven and corridor to God the Father. No other route is available, no short cuts permitted. Yet the knocking is a daunting prospect. His garment is spattered with blood and His eyes are all afire. His voice is like the sound of rushing waters and His legs like burnished bronze. Yet this fearsome, awesome God-incarnate gently promises:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

And

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37