A new minister moved into town and went out one Saturday to visit his community. All went well until he came to one house. It was obvious that someone was home, but no one came to the door even after he knocked several times. Finally, he took out his card, wrote on the back “Revelation 3:20” and stuck it in the door.
Revelation 3:20 reads: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with me.”
The next day, as he was counting the offering, he found his card in the collection plate. Below his message was a notation “Genesis 3:10.” Upon opening his Bible to the passage he let out a roar of laughter.
Genesis 3:10 reads: “And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked.”
Revelation 3:20 is a beautiful verse that pictures Jesus trying to get our attention. He is knocking, but so often we don’t open the door of our hearts. He says if anyone will hear him and open the door, he will come in. But do we hear him knocking? Are we even listening?
It’s so easy for us to apply this passage to sinners who have never received Christ (and I think it CAN be applied to them), but Jesus spoke those words to Christians — his people who come together and worship every Sunday. What that tells me is that it’s possible to be a Christian and go through the motions of religion week after week with Jesus still on the “outside” of our hearts.
Can it be that we are doing all the right actions, but we still don’t have a close relationship with Jesus Christ? And so he stands and knocks, seeking entrance into our hearts. Christ wants to be at the very center of our hearts. His desire is to have fellowship and communion with us on a daily basis. But he won’t force the issue. The choice is ours. Do we even want him in our hearts, or are our hearts already crowded with too many other things?
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will dine with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
Do you hear the sound of knocking? Will you open your heart?
Have a great day!
~Alan Smith
