"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me." Jesus in Revelation 3:20
During the early years of my ministry I wrestled with Revelation 3:20. Should I use this verse evangelistically? Was this verse written to believers or non-believers? The conclusion I came to would not allow me to use this verse when sharing my faith. Now my attitude has totally changed about Rev. 3:20.
Yes, this verse is from a letter written to a church, a dead church at Laodicea. This church makes Jesus even want to vomit! (Revelation 3: 16). And this church is wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. (v. 17) Never does Jesus use this kind of language with His redeemed, the sheep of His pasture.
As we dig deep into the Biblical text, lets not miss the forest for the trees... Embrace the glory of God on display in this verse!
Imagine, the One who speaks the stars into existence, the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God (Revelation 3:14), wanting to dine with us! We are sinful, rebellious, helpless, ungodly, even enemies of God (Romans 5:10). Yet here we receive an invitation to dine with the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
Dear friend, no earthly pleasure will delight your soul like fellowship with Jesus!
George Sheldon Ladd, in his commentary on Revelation, says this: “A shared meal in the ancient Jewish world had far more significance than it has today. It was a symbol of affection, of confidence, of intimacy.”
Imagine, the Lord Jesus Christ seeking entrance into a place where He has been shunned, neglected, ignored and even despised! All Jesus has to do is to call down His wrath and this lukewarm church would disappear into a cloud of judgment and smoke.
Jesus does in fact use harsh language with this dead church. But He also beckons them, pleads with them and gives them a heart call to repent. Beautiful. Just like my Jesus.
Charles Ryrie says , “How incredible that Christ should be kept outside His own church! How gracious that He should still seek entrance!”
Why in all my frailty and flesh do I follow Jesus? It is because of verses like Revelation 3:20.
For this verse is gospel; it captures the core of our faith; it is the end result of the Cross: restored fellowship with our Creator!
When that day comes and you read my obituary, do not weep. For then I will be at the marriage supper of the Lamb! For then I will be complete, lacking in nothing, more conscious and alive than at any moment in my existence. I will experience the reason for which I was created!
Is the door shut between you and Jesus? Do you hear Him knocking? It doesn’t matter if you are a Christian or not a Christian; the invitation is the same. Jesus’ death on the Cross for our sins is the key to the door. Open it. And dine with the Great God of the Universe, the Lover of your Soul!
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