HOW INDIFFERENCE AFFECTS JESUS "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20). -- Tomorrow:
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." (Rev 3:14-22)
Devotion 16 of 20
Given the condition of the church in Laodicea, one might imagine strong appeals would NOT be made to anyone in their number. But this is not at all the case. Although Jesus had been excluded from His own church, He eagerly seeks a receptive soul. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me" (NASB). Now, He does not speak to the church itself. Rather He sends a lofty appeal among them, searching for "anyone" still possessing sensitivity in that quagmire of lukewarmness. Can it be that one exists in such a suppressive environment? Do not venture a carnal assessment of the situation! Here, we learn something of the nature of Jesus, as well as the existence of spiritual tenderness in the most unlikely places. Do not be quick to give up on the existence of some sensitive soul, even in most loathsome surroundings!
See, Jesus does not tear the door down in a climactic act of Divine wrath! Such a deed would have slain everyone on the other side. The day of wrath has not yet come, so the Son of God will make strong appeals. But He will do so on the OUTSIDE not on the inside. Mark it well, the religion of the Laodiceans had put a door between them and Jesus. Whatever kind of religious activity was found among them, it proved a barrier to the Divine Presence. I know of people who imagine such a condition to be impossible. Yet, all through this country there are assemblies that regularly meet with their door closed to Jesus. The early disciples met behind closed doors for "fear of the Jews." On that occasion, the resurrected Jesus appeared in their midst, even though the doors were locked fast (John 20:19). But the church in Laodicea was not afforded this blessing. Their Lord, who had bought them with His own blood, stood "at the door" and knocked, bidding entrance – NOT to their insipid gatherings, but to any individual who had managed to survive their tepidness.
He does not call out to the leaders, not to the elders, or deacons, or men, or ladies. His call is not to a group. Above the din of carnality in that assembly, and over the lull of death that had settled upon them, the voice of the Son of God could be heard. The soul in whose heart the truth had found a resting place could hear it. It was one of those "whosoever will" calls that is lofty, yet can be heard by tender hearts. "If ANYONE hears my voice," cries the Lord on the outside of the door. No stilted theology here about men no longer hearing Jesus! He is still speaking (Heb 12:25), and people can still hear Him within the recesses of the heart (Eph 4:21).
It makes no difference how dead and lifeless an assembly may be, if there is a sensitive soul there, Jesus stands at the door and knocks, calling out to those with an "ear to hear." That voice can be heard in a text of Scripture, though read in a lifeless liturgy, or declared by an apathetic speaker. It can be heard in a prayer that is read in routine, or a song that is sung without the heart – but it will be heard by the searching soul. "I stand at the door and knock," cries Jesus! It is an aggressive knock! It is a persistent knock!
Listen! Can you hear it? It is accompanied by a word – a directed word: "If any one hears My voice and opens the door!" The qualification is twofold: hearing and opening! Those are things you can do if you have an ear to hear. It is as though Jesus said, "If any one is sensitive to my presence and will avail himself of it," or "If anyone is aware of Me, and will extend himself to receive Me!"
And what will Jesus do for such a person? Whether anyone else opens the door, welcoming the Presence of Jesus, or not, the receptive individual will experience fellowship and communion with Christ. "I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me!" That is the same promise Jesus gave to His disciples on the eve of His betrayal (John 14:21,23). The soul that desires Christ WILL experience Him! He will be taught by the Master and cared for by the Good Shepherd. Jesus will prepare a special spiritual diet for that person, and "dine with him." It will be a reciprocal fellowship, providing release for the soul as well as nourishment for it: "and he [will dine] with Me."
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the access that owned by the person of tender heart!