Kirklinton Church: Stiff Gates

At St Cuthbert's Church, Kirklinton, one finds a neat, nineteenth-century re-build on a more ancient site. The church is well kept and tidy, combining an original Norman arch with the later, Victorian style. Yet it was the gates entering the place that caught my attention. For want of oil, they were stiff and screeched like a banshee upon pushing them open.

Perhaps this was deliberate, so folk on the farms could hear someone approach their church. It reminded me of Psalm 24, which speaks of the coming Messiah:

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord strong and mighty,

The Lord mighty in battle.

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

Lift up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

He is the King of glory. Selah (NKJV)

The gates and doors must be instructed to open for the coming King. Sadly, many did He find closed, even the very inn in which His earthly parents sought accommodation. Even today, many hearts’ doors remain stiff and hold fast, until the Spirit’s gentle oil lubricates and moves, that the King may come in and feast with us, and we with Him.

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

E.S. Elliot