The Most Expensive Door

22/06/25 Breaking of Bread service

Iain Cant

Have you ever thought about changing your front door?

It’s a very important part of your property being the barrier between you and the outside world. You can choose who to let in and who should stay outside. Perhaps it just needs a coat of paint, or minor repairs to stop it sticking when trying to close; or is a more radical change required - for greater security or general appearance?

It’s said that a poorly presented front door can be a game changer when selling a house: many buyers can be immediately put off, despite the remainder of the property being entirely pleasant.

You may have missed this article in the media last week particularly as its contents are somewhat embarrassing if not shocking:

Our government planned some time ago to improve security and access to the Palace of Westminster and, as part of these proposals, a new door was required for the main entrance to the House of Lords building. Admittedly it’s a Grade 1 Listed Building on a UNESCO World Heritage site, so you can’t just go down to the local branch of B&Q and buy one ready to fit. However, the new doors, now in place, are thought to be the most expensive pair of doors in world history - coming in at a cost to UK taxpayers of £9.6m which is £3m over budget! This alone should demand an inquiry, but this is compounded by the fact that it doesn’t do what it is supposed to: it doesn’t allow automatic access for wheelchair users, so doorkeeper has to be stationed there to press a button to open the door every time this is required!

Leaving aside the catalogue of failures and gross inefficiency, when I read this report I questioned the claim about it being the most expensive door in world history because we, as God’s people, know that that specific cost is immeasurable. Opening God’s figurative door to forgiveness - the door giving us entry to his kingdom on earth, and the connecting passage to everlasting glory in our heavenly home was paid for in blood on Christ’s cross at Calvary: that cost just cannot be fully quantified or even comprehended in human terms!

Scott Hall Church family, we gather weekly to worship and give thanks that this cost has been paid on our behalf and the door to the kingdom has been opened. In the words of David:

“Open up, ancient gates, open up ancient doors and let the king of glory enter. Who is the king of glory? The Lord strong and mighty; the Lord invincible in battle. Open up ancient gates, open up ancient doors and let the king of glory enter. Who is the king of glory? The Lord of heaven’s armies – he is the King of Glory.” Psalm 24:7-10

Here is a clear invitation for us today for his spirit to enter into each one of our hearts and pour out our praise and recognition of his almighty power and holiness as we worship.

In a demonstration of a different aspect of God’s transaction with his people, the prophet Hosea wrote these words from God to His people, Israel, after yet another demonstration of their unfaithfulness to Him:

“But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into gateway of hope.” Hosea 2:14-15a

We too have been blessed to enter that gateway of hope prophesied so long ago and the cost has been met in full in Jesus’ sacrifice.

The promise we claim of our future eternal rest in the heavenly realms with the King of Glory is also foretold in the apostle John’s vision:

“Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.” Revelation 3:20-21

These words, sometimes used as an invitation to open our hearts to the gospel, speak of the future of God’s redeemed people.

So today, as we worship once more, let our hearts respond like Charles Wesley’s when he wrote the words:

“Yea amen let all adore thee, high on thine eternal throne. Saviour take the power and glory, claim the kingdoms for thin own. Hallelujah, hallelujah Come Lord come!”

So, the new door to the House of Lords being the most costly door in world history, compared to the door to the kingdom of the Lord of Lords? I don’t think so – not by a country mile!