Neville Turley

 Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me.”

 Revelation 3:20 (GNT)

Our verse for today is one of the most popular texts in the Bible. It has been published countless times, usually with an illustration depicting our Lord wearing a crown and holding a lantern.

Most people regard it as an invitation to those who do not know the Christian way. In the Bible however, it is an invitation to the Church congregation at Laodicea.  People who were part and parcel of the Christian fellowship. Our Lord was highly critical of that congregation.

“I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth!” (Revelation 3:15-16 )

Our Lord is a God of compassion. Having sternly rebuked the Laodiceans out of love and concern for their wellbeing, Jesus invites them to open their hearts to him. Often people fall into the same habit as the Laodiceans did. They diligently attend church each Sunday but that is as far as it goes. Our Lord wants more than that, he wants a personal relationship with us.

Jesus wants to be an intimate part of our life every day of the week.

If we open the door and let Jesus into our heart, the Holy Spirit becomes our guiding light, equipping us to meet life’s challenges and emerge victorious.  

God has even more in store for us. To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3:21)

How greatly blessed we are in Jesus. 

Prayer: God in Trinity draw us into your holy life through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen