Revelation 3 Devotional

The Lord Who Knocks

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.”Revelation 3:20 (BSB)

Revelation 3 shows how differently a church can look to itself and to Christ. Sardis has a reputation for being alive, but Jesus says it is dead (3:1). Laodicea says it is rich and needs nothing, but Jesus sees a church that is poor, blind, and exposed (3:17). Philadelphia has little strength, yet Jesus has no rebuke for it. He has set before it an open door that no one can shut (3:8).

To lukewarm Laodicea Jesus speaks sharply, yet his words come from love. He rebukes and disciplines those he loves (3:19). He urges them to get from him the gold, the white clothing, and eye salve they cannot supply themselves (3:18). Then he pictures himself standing at the door and knocking, ready to come in and share a meal with anyone who hears and opens (3:20). This is said to a self-satisfied church. Christ does not wait for his people to fix themselves before he comes near. He knocks. What he asks is that you stop pretending to be rich and let him in.

To think about: In what area of your life have you been acting as if you need nothing, and what would it look like to open the door to Christ there?