Joy of Loving Jesus

Just realised from the devotion I read this morning that Rev 3:20 is actually written for Christians in the church of Laodicia although we always quote it for unbelievers. Yes, Jesus always desires for us to open the door and welcome Him into our heart to fellowship with Him. Let's not be lukewarm but hot for the Lord.

Joy of Loving Jesus

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

We’ve all done the “Knock, knock! Who’s there?” routine. But what would you do if Jesus was knocking at your door and it was not really a “knock, knock” joke at all?

Well, that’s exactly the setting in Christ’s letter to the church in Laodicea.  Out of the seven letters in Revelation to the churches of Asia, the Laodiceans have the distinct honor of the strongest reproof. And that’s saying something since some of the other churches were entertaining heresy in their teaching and encouraging sexual immorality! Jesus lets the Laodiceans know in no uncertain terms how He feels, when He writes, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16). Which is a nice way of saying, “You make me sick, and I feel like vomiting!” Really. That’s how strong the language is.

I don’t ever want Jesus to say that about me. Do I have a witness?

So what’s the problem? Jesus explains that He is deeply offended by them because, as He says, “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (v. 17). Their affluence had not only blinded them to the true condition of their hearts but had inflicted them with the sin of self-sufficiency. Because they had all they needed, they felt like they had need of nothing—not even Christ. When we forget how desperately we really need Jesus, it bothers Him, and it should! We easily forget that every good thing we have comes from God (James 1:17). None of us would have a dime to our name or clothes on our back if it weren’t for the grace of God in our lives, providing everything we need in abundance. How can we get so consumed with all the gifts that we forget the giver? Thinking we have it made without needing Him just may be life’s most fatal spiritual mistake.

Where does it leave Jesus when we are caught up in our self-sufficient world? It leaves Him on the outside! Toward the end of His comments to the Laodiceans, He says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me” (v.20). I love the fact that Jesus, though offended by our sense of flagrant independence, still wants us! He still longs for the intimate fellowship that occurred around the dinner tables of the ancient world. And don’t think you are off the hook just because you think that the knocking on the door metaphor is about non-Christians accepting Christ. Don’t miss the point! In this text, Jesus is talking to Christians. To people like you and me who because of our God-supplied abundance no longer sing the old song, “I need Thee, O I need Thee; every hour I need Thee . . .”
He calls us to repent (v. 19) and to open the door of our hearts to let Him in. He calls us to pursue the riches of fellowship with Him and to covet the things that money can’t buy but that He can supply—the real wealth of character, purity, and wisdom (v.18). Imagine the “dining room” of your life filled with an attitude of gratitude for what you have (which beats attitudes of greed and grumpiness), contentment with what you have (which beats being out of breath trying to get your hands on the next best thing), and humility that you have been given anything at all (which beats thinking that you really deserve all of the stuff)!

Knock, knock! Who’s there? It’s Jesus! Welcome Him in today.

Your Journey . . .

• Read Revelation 3:14-22 as if Jesus were speaking directly to you. Specifically jot down how His words to His followers in Laodicea apply to you. What will you do to reprioritize your life and turn from the sin of self-sufficiency to a fresh sense of daily reliance on Jesus?
• Take a look around you, and let all your material stuff serve as reminders that God has been generous beyond what you deserve!  What if it all were lost? Would you feel that He really is all you need?
• Write a prayer responding to the Lord’s statements in Revelation 3. Invite Him to come in. Repent of the self-sufficiency that has blocked the reality of how desperately you need Him.