William Walsham How (1823-1897). Hymns. I. Jesus at the Door. Alfred H. Miles, ed. 1907. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century

Alfred H. Miles, ed. The Sacred Poets of the Nineteenth Century. 1907.

Hymns.
I. Jesus at the Door

By William Walsham How (1823–1897)

	“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.”
	—Rev. iii. 20.

O JESU, Thou art standing
Outside the fast-closed door,
In lowly patience waiting
To pass the threshold o’er.

Shame on us, Christian brothers,	5
His name and sign who bear,
Oh, shame, thrice shame, upon us,
To keep Him standing there!

O Jesu, Thou art knocking;
And lo! that Hand is scarred,	10
And thorns Thy Brow encircle,
And tears Thy Face have marred.

O love that passeth knowledge
So patiently to wait!
O sin that hath no equal	15
So fast to bar the gate!

O Jesu, Thou art pleading
In accents meek and low—
“I died for you, My children,
And will ye treat Me so?”	20

O Lord, with shame and sorrow
We open now the door:
Dear Saviour, enter, enter,
And leave us nevermore.