OPEN THE DOOR
Knocking at Your Door: A Fresh Look at Revelation 3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to eat with that person, and they with me.” – Revelation 3:20
You’ve probably seen those paintings – Jesus standing at a door, knocking patiently. Maybe you’ve heard this verse used countless times in altar calls or evangelistic messages. But here’s something that might surprise you: this verse wasn’t originally written to non-believers at all.
When Jesus spoke these words through John, He was addressing the church in Laodicea – people who already considered themselves Christians. That’s what makes this passage even more powerful and personally challenging for us today.
Think about it. These words were written to people who went to church, who probably prayed regularly, who thought they had it all together. Yet somehow, they had shut Jesus out of their daily lives. They were going through the motions of faith without the intimacy of relationship.
Sound familiar?
I know it does to me. How many times have I rushed through my day, checking off my spiritual to-do list – morning devotional (done), prayer (check), Bible reading (complete) – while keeping Jesus waiting outside the door of my heart’s deepest chambers?
This isn’t about salvation. It’s about intimacy.
The imagery Jesus uses here is deeply meaningful. In ancient Middle Eastern culture, sharing a meal was never casual – it was an intimate act of fellowship, trust, and friendship. When Jesus says He wants to “eat with” us, He’s inviting us into deep, personal communion with Him.
But notice something crucial: the door handle is on our side. Jesus won’t force His way in. He’s not interested in obligation or duty. He wants a genuine relationship, one where we choose to let Him into every area of our lives – our dreams, our fears, our struggles, our joys.
To my dear readers: this is more than just a nice Bible verse to memorize. This is a daily invitation to something deeper. Jesus isn’t satisfied with being an occasional guest in your life. He’s not looking for a quick visit or a formal dinner party. He wants to be present in your Monday morning coffee, your Wednesday afternoon meetings, your Friday evening exhaustion.
Right now, in this moment, He’s knocking. Not at your neighbor’s door. Not at your pastor’s door. At yours.
The question isn’t whether He’s knocking – He is. The question is: will you open the door wider today than it was yesterday? Will you invite Him into those rooms you’ve kept locked until now? The parts of your life you think are too messy, too mundane, or too broken?
This is your invitation to move beyond religious routine into real relationship. To stop treating Jesus like a distant acquaintance and start experiencing Him as the closest friend you’ve ever had.
The door handle is in your hand. What will you do?