“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20).
Of the seven churches in Revelation, the last church appears in the direst condition. This is due to their lack of spiritual acuity. Laodicea thinks of itself as being spiritual rich and therefore, in “need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17). The ill and needy came to Jesus for healing, sinners came for forgiveness. But here is a Christian church that comes not. Why? They are self-sufficient and self-deceived, oblivious to their true state.
Imagine meeting a destitute man who is homeless, without food or money, dressed in tattered and worn garments, filthy, dehydrated and emaciated. You have sympathy, so you ask if you can meet his need. But the destitute man is bewildered by such a suggestion. He insists he is rich, dressed immaculately, physically fit and abundantly fed. Such a response is delusional. So is Laodicea’s spiritual evaluation of itself.
However, Jesus pierces their façade with the word of truth. In reality they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. But He wants to heal them. He therefore offers them eye salve, that they may realize their great lack. He offers to clothed their spiritual nakedness with His purity. He offers them faith as tried gold, to replace their rusted alloy of smug self-trust. In essence, Jesus offers himself to them and with Him comes the panoply of heaven’s treasures. What do they need to do? Hear and believe His witness and word. They must open the door!
The core problem is where Jesus stands? He stands not in the church, but without her walls. Therefore, He is knocking, desiring entrance. But they have not responded due to their lukewarmness. Jesus does not force entrance, instead He lovingly knocks.
In the Song of Solomon, the Shulamite woman is comfortable beneath her blankets. She has finished the ritual of entering into her slumber (SOS 5:2-6). An unexpectant knock comes upon her door in the late evening. Who can it be? It is her true love! But her feet are washed and she doesn’t want to defile them on the dirt floor. She is dressed for sleep and in a cozy state. It would be much to answer the knock at such a late hour. So, she hesitates. By the time she shakes her sluggishness, her lover is no longer there. To find him now, she must go through great travail (SOS 5:7).
How about you? Where does Jesus stand? Is He outside your heart’s door, knocking? Is the lover of your soul seeking entrance? Have you unwittingly shut off the fellowship and healing that only He can bring? If so, shake off any self-satisfied slumber and awaken to your need! The true and faithful witness is exposing your true condition because He loves you (Revelation 3:19). So do not delay to answer the knock, as did the Shulamite woman. For her delay was costly.
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