Standing at the door knocking

Rev. 3:14-22

14 ‘And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God’s creation:

15 ‘I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.” You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. 19 I reprove and discipline those whom I love. Be earnest, therefore, and repent. 20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. 21 To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’

This short letter to the church in Laodicea is full of images that speak to the physical context of the city of Laodicea. It is also a letter of warning, even judgement against the Christian community in Laodicea –Jesus is reproving and disciplining the people of the church there. It uses the image of the door quite differently then in the passage we read on Wednesday of this week.

But there is hope for these back-sliding Christians, Jesus says. Jesus stands at the door of the church – at the door of the church’s heart – at the door of the will and commitment of the letter’s readers. Jesus is knocking to gain entry (vs. 20). This is one of the most famous verses in the Bible and a well known painting has been made of it. In fact, there is a stained glass of this verse at St. Andrew’s in one of the doors at the east entrance off St. George St. Jesus stands ready to enter in and as the passage says become part of the household – part of the community – part of the church – eating with, being with, the church community of Laodicea, being with any who will invite him in, being with us.

Jesus stands at the door of our lives, our church, our community of faith – knocking, seeking entry. It is up to us as to whether we will open the door and welcome Jesus to become part of our lives, of our community. The door is in our control, we are the ones who choose to open it or not.  Opening the door means inviting Jesus in, and that will mean we will be changed. Inviting Jesus to join us changes the way we will see everything. Letting Jesus through the door begins a new chapter in our lives, a new chapter in the life of the church.

PRAYER:

We thank you, Lord God, that Jesus stands at the door knocking. Move in us that we would open the door and let him in, so that we might be in connection with him. These things we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.