READING: Hosea 1-5, Revelation 3-4
I remember seeing as a young believer a painting of Jesus “standing at the door and knocking” based on Revelation 3:20. What I most remember is my pastor pointing out the fact that the door had no handle on the outside, for “we must open the door of our heart to let him in”; He does not force His way in. We could debate the merits of that understanding, but more important to me is the original context of these words of Revelation 3. Jesus spoke these words to the church at Laodicea. That church had become lukewarm, self-sufficient, and unknowingly inviting the discipline of God.
Scholars debate whether the original hearers were believers or non-believers (or some of both), but it’s clear Jesus called them to “be zealous and repent” (Rev 3:19). He had no intention of tolerating their lukewarmness, and He wanted them to know that their choices had essentially pushed Him outside the church. His knocking was graciously ongoing, however, and He would respond to anyone’s opening the door as follows: “ I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Rev 3:20). Repentance would restore relationship and fellowship.
I cannot help but wonder if Jesus ever sees Himself as outside our congregations today. Our churches can easily become lukewarm and self-sufficient, too. In fact, each of us as individuals can choose to live the same way. Jesus, though, is always waiting for those who repent and turn back to Him.
PRAYER: “Lord, don’t let me ever push You outside the door. I want to live with a repentant heart.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Hosea 6-14, Revelation 5:1-6:6