Open the Door and Invite Me In
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in. And we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20
An Invitation to Enter
I just finished cleaning our front porch and deck. The accumulated dirt and grime of winter are washed away. As I survey my work, I think about first impressions. Is our home approachable and attractive? Is there an invitation to draw near and enter?
A welcome mat sits outside our front door. However, do people feel welcomed when they enter our home?
Hospitable Roots
I come from a very hospitable home. My parents welcomed both friends and strangers through their door. They were treated with a warm cup of coffee, and a seat around the kitchen table. In fact, when our daughter was six years old and visiting Grandpa and Grandma’s farm in Iowa, she commented on the constant flow of people stopping by to visit. At a young age, she saw this as a special quality.
Intrusion or Welcome?
However today, people seem more guarded. Often cameras, dogs, and no solicitation signs, stand watch over our front doors. Instead of implying Welcome, these obstacles shout Stay Away!
Open the Door and Invite Me In
Therefore, I wonder if Jesus senses the same reservation when He attempts to enter our lives? He too, is standing at the door of our hearts. But He will only enter if He’s invited in.
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in. And we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20
The action verbs in this sentence are impressive: look, stand, knock, hear, open, come, and share. Apparently, action is required on our part before the event can occur. Jesus is standing at the door. Will you invite Him in?
The Door Opens from the Inside
Jesus is polite. He won’t enter uninvited. We must open the door.
Do you pretend you’re not home when someone rings the doorbell? What keeps you from responding? Is it fear? Uncertainty? Is the house too messy? Have you no time for interruptions?
Remember, Jesus is entering as a friend, not an enemy. He wants to sit at your table and share a meal with you. He desires relationship. Confidently, open the door and say, Welcome, and Please Come In.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, may I welcome You in and not shut you out. Amen.
Questions to Consider
- Do you embrace or reject unexpected knocks on your door?
- Share a time when Jesus was the one knocking at your door. What was your response?
