Jump Start # 189 

Revelation 3:20-21 “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. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

  Our passage today comes from the section of Revelation that specifically addresses the seven churches of Asia. The last church addressed, where our passage comes from, was Laodicea—the lukewarm church that sickened the Lord. There were many problems at that church. They didn’t see themselves as God saw them. That’s always dangerous. They didn’t think they needed anything, especially changing. But they did.

  God didn’t give up on them. He didn’t throw them out. Instructions were given to turn them around and right the wrongs found there. And as with the other letters addressed to the churches, it ends with a promise. If you will do these things, this is what it will do for you.

  There are two wonderful promises found in our verses today. First, the promise to dine with Jesus. This of course is figurative and shows the picture of closeness and friendship. We don’t eat with strangers. Most try to avoid the enemy (maybe we shouldn’t, but we do). But dining with family and friends is such a wonderful event. Families catch up on what everyone is doing. Laughter fills the air. People tell stories and go down memory lane. Parents use the opportunity to “parent.” When we grow older and move out on our own and think back to our childhood days, generally it’s not the TV set that we miss, but family time and that often surrounded the kitchen table. Dining with Jesus. Would that make you nervous? Could you be yourself or would you be so afraid of saying something out of turn that you just looked at your food and said nothing? The image is warmth. Jesus wants us at the table. Just as the Father of the prodigal longed for both of his sons to join him around the table, that is what Christ wants. He doesn’t want you to fear Him. He knows you. He knows what you are like. He knows what you have done. And He still longs for you to join Him around the table. That’s awesome!

  The second promise is to sit with Jesus on His throne. Wow! I’ve been to the White House. They didn’t let me go to the Oval Office. Even if they did, they wouldn’t let me sit in “the” chair. Only the President sits there. Here Christ is inviting you to sit with Him. Come join me is what He is saying. Notice, Jesus doesn’t vacate the throne. The throne is always occupied by God. It is never empty. When we sit, it is with Jesus. That image implies trust. I have a wonderful chair in my office. I spent weeks looking and trying out chair before I bought this one. It is the softest office chair I’ve ever sat it. I let people try it out, but just for a moment. That chair is special to me. Don’t you think God feels the same about His throne? It is before the throne that we will stand some day and be judged. To sit with Jesus on His throne shows that He really loves and trusts us.

  The Laodiceans had to light the fire once again and get serious about Jesus. These promises offered to them were not to buy their faithfulness but reminders that this is how God treats His children. We need to walk that way.

  Great promises. Give these some thought today. God has great things in store for you!

Roger