March 23, 2023

“As many as I love, I discipline and reprove; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I am standing at the door and knocking; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat supper with him and he with Me.” Revelation 3:19-20

The love of Jesus is foundational throughout His Word. The last two letters show us something remarkable that reinforces what many of us learned as small children: God is love. (1 John 4:8) Both Philadelphia, who received only commendation and no rebuke, and Laodicea, who received no commendation but only rebuke, are clearly told that He loves them! The message of salvation is for everyone. This fact alone is enough for each individual to believe that every facet of the counsel of Jesus is given from His great heart of love.

For whom the LORD loves, He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12

But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.  1 Corinthians 11:32

God deals with people both corporately and individually. He is capable of communicating powerful truths to large groups at one time while simultaneously speaking one-on-one to individuals. A vitally important distinction to make is that He is saving people individually. Individually only. No one rides in on the coattails of their church, family heritage, denomination, or DNA. Jesus is speaking to the entire congregation when He says that He is “standing at the door and knocking.” And what a sad picture is painted: just as the Jews failed to recognize Him even while in possession of the oracles of God, the church has slipped so far downward that He is not even in it, but outside politely asking to be allowed in.

Immediately His request becomes extremely personal: “if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat supper with him and he with Me.” Jesus has not given up on His church, which is made up of individuals. This personal plea to be invited in echoes a passage from Song of Solomon. Oh, beloved, invite Him in! Respond afresh to the One whose great love for you is everlasting. (Jeremiah 31:3)

I sleep, but my heart is awake; it is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, “Open for me, my sister, my love, my dove, my perfect one; for my head is covered with dew, my locks with the drops of the night.” Song of Solomon 5:2

… but He [chastens] us for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.  Hebrews 12:10b-11