When Christ knocks
by Mark Whitfield
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Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me (Revelation 3:20).
Read Revelation 3:14–22
Are there times when your faith feels a little too familiar?
You know the prayers. You know the songs and hymns. You know the stories of Scripture. You may have followed Jesus for many years. Yet familiarity can sometimes become complacency. The wonder of grace can begin to fade, and you can forget just how much you need Christ each day.
That is why Jesus personally speaks these words to you: ‘Be earnest, and repent.’
But hear what lies behind those words. Jesus doesn’t speak them because he has given up on you. He says them because he loves you: ‘I reprove and discipline those whom I love.’
His purpose is not to condemn you, but to draw you back. Not to push you away, but to awaken you to his presence and renew your faith.
And then comes that beautiful picture: ‘I am standing at the door, knocking.’
Jesus is near you. He is speaking to you. He is inviting you to listen: ‘Tēnā, whakarongo mai – whakarongo ki tōku reo’, which in English means, ‘Please listen – listen to my voice.’
What might Jesus be saying to you today?
Perhaps he is calling you back from spiritual complacency. Perhaps he is reminding you of the wonder of his forgiveness. You may have something that you need to honestly bring before him. Or perhaps he is simply reminding you that you do not have to carry today in your own strength.
Jesus is still knocking.
You don’t need to have everything sorted out before you open the door. You don’t need to prove yourself worthy. Simply come as you are. Receive his grace again. Let him renew your faith, restore your joy and draw you into deeper fellowship with him.
Jesus doesn’t knock because he has given up on you. He knocks because he loves you.
Lord Jesus, help me to hear your voice today. Forgive me when I take your grace for granted. Awaken my faith, renew my joy and draw me closer to you. Amen.
Pastor Mark is a Kiwi and loves being pastor of St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Ōtautahi (Christchurch) on New Zealand’s South Island. He is bishop emeritus of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand (LCNZ), has served on the LCA Commission on Worship and represents the LCNZ on the Roman Catholic–Lutheran Dialogue Commission. He is married to Leanne and is dad to Chelsea (and Tim), Brittany and Charlotte. A musician (organist, pianist, singer and composer), Mark also enjoys gardening, making people laugh and following sport, especially cricket and rugby. And when the opportunity arises, he loves eating rollmops on fresh bread with his father-in-law, Kevin.
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