I have been reflecting around a verse found in the book of Revelations. The verse I am about to share is often used by churches in the direction of non-believers, but this verse is found in Revelations when Jesus is addressing the church. In this part of the story Jesus is addressing the church in Laodicea, and we read the following:
“Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me. 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. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” – Revelations 3:20-22 NRSV
I am struck by how far too often in Christianity we skim over this verse as if we know for sure we have all heard Jesus knock and have opened the door. It is clear though that Jesus is speaking to the CHURCH! We have Christ speaking to his followers…… not to those who do not believe.
The reason we skim over this verse is because it forces us in churches to ask ourselves, “Is Jesus knocking at our church doors, and are we not hearing it?”
This is a question I believe all of us as Christians should ask ourselves and then look at our communities for the evidence of Christ love. If we have opened the door and Christ is dinning with us in our communities, the evidence of his love will be all around us.