O Jesus Thou Art Standing

108 O Jesus Thou Art Standing

1 O Jesus, Thou art standing
   Outside the fast-closed door,
   In lowly patience waiting
   To pass the threshold o'er:
   Shame on us, Christian brethren,
   His Name and sign who bear,
   O shame, thrice shame upon us
   To keep Him standing there!

2 O Jesus, Thou art knocking;
   And lo! that hand is scarred,
   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,
   So fast to bar the gate!

3 O Jesus, Thou art pleading
   In accents meek and low,
   I died for you, My children,
   And will ye treat Me so?
   O Lord, with shame and sorrow
   We open now the door;
   Dear Savior, enter, enter,
   And leave us nevermore!
                         William W. How
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1964 edition

<idle musing>
Not sure I like the heavy guilt-inducing attitude in this hymn…
</idle musing>