Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me. Revelation 3:20 NCV
Have you seen the pictures of Jesus knocking at the door? There are several well-known pictures often used to illustrate Jesus seeking permission to come into an unbeliever’s heart. In one sense, it’s a wonderful picture because we do have a respectful, seeking Friend and Savior in Jesus. He never forces His way or overrides our will. He always and only enters where He is specifically welcomed.
But the place we miss it is that this message is not written to unbelievers, people who have not chosen to follow Jesus. The Book of Revelation starts with addresses and challenges to specific churches and the Christians in them. Revelation 3 is a message to Christians in a church in Laodicea. They are Christians who DID receive Jesus as their Savior, but now they have gotten caught up in life and have forgotten that their life with Christ is an ongoing relationship. They move through life, seemingly unaware and ignoring the true desire of Christ. Jesus did not come simply to forgive our sins. He came to give us life; “life that is truly life” (John 10:10). He came for a daily, moment-by-moment relationship with us that transforms us and everything about our lives and likeness to Him.
Consider the picture again and see the longing and urgency there. He calls to us in the dailiness of our lives, “Here I am! I am right here with You.” He is not begging and pleading – He is the King. But His desire is for us to acknowledge Him. He wants us to hear His voice and open the door to our life each day so that He can share the intimacies of life with us. He will not force Himself. He will not involve Himself without an invitation.
The language of Revelation 3:20 shows with clarity that the intimacy of our lives with Jesus is never about favoritism or privilege. The ones who hear His voice and respond by readily opening the door of their lives that day have a first-hand experience of the resurrected Savior sharing life with them. Remember the disciples walking on the Emmaus Road after Jesus’ crucifixion? (Luke 24:13-35). They didn’t know Jesus was alive again and didn’t recognize Jesus when He started walking with them. When they stopped for the evening, they invited this “stranger” to come in and eat with them. The account tells us they “recognized Him when He was breaking the bread.” That’s how intimacy happens – when we consciously welcome Jesus into every day and every moment. It is then that we see who Jesus really is and experience true life.
- If my life lacks the vitality that should accompany the presence of a resurrected King, it likely indicates I have grown casual and apathetic about enthusiastically desiring His presence with me. Is He waiting on me to open the door today?