By: Denny

It was fun to make up silly Knock knock jokes when we were kids. A couple that come to mind go like this: “Knock knock.” “Who’s there?” “Tuba.” “Tuba who?” “Tuba toothpaste.” “Knock knock.” “Who’s there?” “Little old lady.” “Little old lady who?” “I didn’t know you could yodel!”

When someone knocks on your door you ask, “Who’s there?” to confirm their identity before you open the door and let them in. People will identify themselves by saying their name. If it is someone you know you would recognize their voice. You may identify someone visually from a distance by their walk, by their face and body features, or other mannerisms. If you haven’t seen someone for years, you may not recognize them immediately from a distance because we all change as we age. It’s one thing for someone else to know your identity, but tragic when you don’t know who you are. In other words, you’ve lost your identity. Such is the case of someone who has amnesia. They may not remember their name, anything about their past, who they are or where they live. It’s commonly a result of a head injury. Though it’s usually a temporary condition, recovery requires the aid of others to help the person remember who they are. There is a 1987 movie called “Overboard” starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell about a woman who has amnesia. It’s a romantic comedy that has a good ending as she rediscovers her identity. Ironically it aired on TV the day after I started this writing. The basic plot is Dean (Kurt Russell) is a carpenter who did some remodeling work for this rich lady Joanna (Goldie Hawn) on her yacht. She wasn’t satisfied with the wood he used and refused to pay him. Shortly afterwards she fell overboard and was picked up by another ship. She ended up in the hospital with amnesia. Dean, a widower with four young boys, saw this as an opportunity to get even. He goes to the hospital claiming Joanna is his wife and calls her Annie. He convinces everyone and she reluctantly goes home with him. He conceals her identity and basically makes her his slave to do the housework and take care of the boys. This goes on for quite some time until one day an incident happens, and she remembers who she really is. In case you haven’t seen the movie I won’t tell you anymore details and how it ends.

Many people these days are like the confused person with amnesia trying to discover who they are. There are voices influencing and telling them they are this or that and they build their identity around what they hear. For instance, one voice says to be successful you must get a degree, assert yourself, climb the corporate ladder, make lots of money, and obtain a respectable position. Another voice says to seek fame and notoriety and you’ll find happiness and significance. Other voices say to base your identity on what the cultural norm and morals of the day are. Some will identify with a politically correct or social cause which becomes the driving force by which they filter all of life. Your identity is also a reflection of your value system. Young children and teenagers have always been on a quest to discover who they are, and that’s a good thing. However, kids today are hearing so many different voices telling them who they are compared to my generation. It’s wrong and sickening when adults who are confused about their own identity are allowed to force their skewed values on impressionable kids with their gender identity agenda. My Bible says it is sin, and I don’t care how many self-proclaimed experts or learned theologians say otherwise. It seems like the devil is working overtime to enslave people to embrace an identity based on their feelings. His tactics really haven’t changed, it’s just more intense as more people get on board with his lies, including many who claim to be Bible-believing Christians. But then we shouldn’t be surprised as the Bible does say there will be a falling away in the last days as stated in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 and described in 2 Timothy 4:3-4.

When Jesus was baptized by John, the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness where He was alone and fasted for forty days. Afterwards He was hungry. The devil came and tempted Him saying, “If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread.” Jesus wasn’t moved to act on His feelings of hunger to satisfy His body. The heart of the issue was the devil’s feeble attempt to get Jesus to question and prove His identity. Jesus was confident of His identity and purpose and withstood two more temptations aimed at questioning who He was. He had no need to prove anything to the devil rebuking him sharply with the very Word of God, and that without debate. Even the unbelieving Pharisees wouldn’t accept it when on several occasions Jesus told them plainly who He was. When sinners come to Christ receiving forgiveness and accepting salvation making Him their Lord, they also take on a new nature and His identity. It’s called being born again and old things pass away. Often the devil and even people will remind you of your past failures trying to label you and make that your identity. King David had many sins and mistakes, but he didn’t let those determine his identity. God’s Word was the foundation that formed his true identity. God Himself called David a man after His own heart, because he repented and turned to God despite his failures.

Jesus spoke in parables so the people would understand a deeper truth. In John chapter 10 He states that He alone is the door through which all must enter the Kingdom of Heaven and eternal life. He refers to Himself as the good shepherd whose sheep hear His voice and follow Him. Jesus knows those who are His and is known by His own. I hate to burst anyone’s bubble, but St. Peter doesn’t stand at Heaven’s door deciding who enters. If there was such a door and you knocked on it and the reply came back, “Who’s there?”, you’d have cause for concern. Saying or using the name of Jesus isn’t some secret password to gain entry either. In Matthew 7:21-23 it says many will stand before the Lord bragging about all the wonderful things they did using His name. Jesus tells them plainly, “I never knew you, depart from me you who practice lawlessness!” Matthew 25 is another example about ten virgins. Five were wise and entered the wedding feast and the door was shut. Later the other five came knocking on the door saying, “Lord, Lord, open to us!” the reply wasn’t “Who’s there?”, but rather, “I do not know you.” Lastly in Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” So, the question you need to ask isn’t “Who’s there?”, but do you know Jesus in name only or do you know and recognize His voice? If Jesus told knock knocks, it might go like this:

Knock, knock.   Who’s there?   I died for.   I died for who?   I died for you!  

Knock, knock. Who’s there? No-mee. No-mee who? Know me and discover your real identity.

That alone is reason enough for you to open the door and let Him into your life. America as a nation is suffering from amnesia. We’ve forgotten who we are and have listened to strange voices. Only Jesus can fix the problem one life at a time. Give Him permission to start with you.