“Responding to God’s Voice” Revelation 3:19-20

One of my warmest memories is of a time at our house. It wasn’t anything special. Kim, Laura, Stephen, Mel and I had eaten a meal. I don’t remember what we ate or anything of the meal. What stands out for me is that, about an hour after we had eaten, we were still sitting at the table, talking, enjoying each other. I looked around the table at that time and thought how blessed I was to have a family that was enjoying each other’s company. It was a golden moment, and I’ll never forget it.

We enjoy getting together over a meal. It’s a time to extend the fellowship in a more relaxed setting. We get to know each other at a more personal level. There’s something about getting together over a meal.

The Bible is aware of this, as well. Psalm 23 talks about preparing a table in the presence of one’s enemies. The climactic part of the book of Esther takes place at a meal in Esther’s quarters. Then there’s the Passover meal, a solemn occasion that reminds the nation of Israel how God spared them from the angel of death. And the Lord’s Supper.

This passage we look at today is the promise of a meal with Jesus. It is an invitation to sit and enjoy His company.

Background

The verses we’re looking at are taken at the end of Jesus’ words to the Laodicean church. The church at Laodicea is not a very good church, at least in terms of its commitment to Christ. Jesus tells them they are neither hot nor cold, but tepid in their devotion. As a result, they are in danger of being cast out from Christ. They have become comfortable in their world, and have become deluded into thinking they are something they are not. Their complacency in Christ hides from them the fact that they are in dire straits.

It is interesting that Jesus includes this church in the list of those receiving a word from Him in Revelation. The fact that Jesus is taking the time to warn them speaks to His great love and patience with them and with us. Rather than turn away from a church that has in large part turned away from Him is a reminder to us that His desire for us is to have a vital, growing relationship that is found only in walking closely with Him.

Central Truth: God’s voice is evidence of His love for us.

God’s love:

Assures us of His concern for us (19a)

Have you ever had a point in your life where you just want to throw up your hands and scream, “That’s it! I’ve had it!” and walk away from something or someone?

We all get frustrated. Sometimes, we get disgusted, discouraged, disillusioned—several things that can lead us to just give up on the person or thing in question.

More often than not, though, we determine to stick with it, to see it through and to reach a conclusion, one way or another.

As Jesus has given His message to the seven churches in Asia, He has given some of the churches nothing but commendations, others nothing but warning. For most, He has given affirmation and warning. In each of the letters to the churches, He gives them a final word of encouragement to help them overcome the warning. That’s particularly true with Laodicea.

Laodicea was in an area that was well known for its wealth, in part because of medical treatment facilities and from a particular wool grown in the region. This wool was not the white wool of most sheep, but a darker, rich wool. The area was known for it. The medical treatment was for problems with one’s eyes. Jesus’ warnings to them address these areas—“But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17).

It would be natural for me to look at the church in Laodicea and tell them that their time is over. Fortunately for them, and for us, Jesus is the One in charge, and the Father’s love is in Him, too. It is out of this love that Jesus rebukes and disciplines the wayward church. Instead of the shallow and fleeting riches of their land, He invites them to find the gold refined in heaven that enriches through our obedience to Him. Instead of wearing the clothing that fades and wastes away, He invites them to be robed in His righteousness and in the clothes cleansed by His blood. Instead of having a vision for the illusory things of the world, He invites them to see with His eyes, to have a vision for where God can and will take them if they will only trust and obey.

Jesus could have given up on them, but that is not in His nature. He sees our potential. He is willing to work with us and bring us into full fellowship with Him. But we must respond in kind.

Shows us how to respond to Him (19b)

The way we respond to Jesus is with an earnestness that leads to repentance.

I remember as a child being taught to apologize. Mom or Dad would tell me I shouldn’t punch my brother, no matter whether I thought he deserved it or not. I would have to apologize. And my apology would come out with deep resentment and anger—“I’m sorry” seemed to indicate more my regret at getting caught than the wrongness of my actions. Perhaps you remember those apologies, either as a child or as you tried to teach your children.

True repentance is not just a forced “I’m sorry.” It comes from the conviction by the Holy Spirit, an awareness that our actions were not consistent with God’s will, and therefore harmful to ourselves and the kingdom. As we become aware of our sinfulness, it should lead to a genuine regret and a determination to avoid that sin again. Repentance is also the recognition that I cannot undo the damage nor can I successfully turn away from the sin without my complete surrender to Christ.

Only then can I earnestly and completely repent. That’s what Jesus is talking about in His admonition to the Laodiceans. There is a need to place their absolute faith and trust in Him to lead them away from their waywardness and to bring them into right fellowship with the Father and the Son.

There is a reason we should want to earnestly repent of our sins, and it is found in the next verse.

Is available for any who respond to Him (20)

Jesus tells us that He stands at the door and knocks. He calls to us. If we respond, we will have fellowship with Him.

It would be absurd to walk up to someone’s house and not knock on the door. Perhaps we walk up to the house and fail to hear anything indicating someone is home. We see no cars available, nor do we hear a television or someone walking around. To assume that no one is home, or worse, that no one at home is interested in our appearing at their door is defeatist in nature. To take the trouble to come to a home, walk up to the door, then decide that knocking is a waste of time makes no sense at all.

Jesus comes to our door, and He knocks. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” It’s not a timid, gentle knock that barely passes the door. No, it’s a firm knock, not an intimidating one, but one that lets us know someone is there.

As if the knock were not enough, He lets us know it is Him at the door. “If anyone hears My voice, and opens the door.” Jesus stands at the door, and as He knocks, He calls out to us, letting us know that the one who knocks is the Savior of the world. He has come to our home, He seeks entrance and the reason He seeks entrance is to have fellowship.

“If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me.” There is something about a meal with a good friend that is so inviting. Meals are a good time to relax and talk, to share and build the bonds of friendship.

I imagine lunch with Jesus would a relaxed, enjoyable time. Not like a meal with a king or president, where we’re watching our P’s and Q’s, wondering which fork or spoon to use. No, I imagine the talk around the table would be free and easy, with everyone enjoying being there and enjoying each other’s company.

Conclusion

The letter to the church at Laodicea begins with rather harsh words, but notice that it ends with an invitation to enjoy a meal with Christ. The voice of Jesus can be used to admonish us, warn us. But it is also used to encourage and comfort us, to affirm us and to restore us to fellowship with Him.

The voice of Jesus invites us to be with Him and enjoy quality time together.