‘I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me’
He leads me …
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 (NKJV)
This well-known verse is usually used when we talk about salvation, but in its true context was a word from Jesus to the whole church at Laodicea telling them that they has slipped badly in their relationship with Him.
A few verses earlier Jesus was reprimanding the church when He said, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:15 – 17 (NKJV)
The Laodicea church considered itself rich, prosperous, and not lacking for anything. Although they were believers, the people there were unaware of their spiritual inadequacy and that they were “wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (v. 17). Instead of preaching the ministry of reconciliation to a lost world, the church was enjoying its prosperity and abandoning the gospel. They lacked any dependence on Jesus for their spiritual life. In short they had become indifferent.
Elie Wiesel (1928–2016) a Romanian-born American writer, and Holocaust survivor said in the U.S. News and World Report on 27 October 1986 –
The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.
In 1967 Reverend Otto M. Spangler addressed a community group in Paducah, Kentucky on the topic of “Apathy Versus Fanaticism”:[1]
He said that a popular phrase that has become typical of a lot of people is, “I don’t want to get involved.” Rev. Spangler said that the opposite of love was not hate, but indifference. “These days there is a feeling of apathy, a complete indifference,” he said.
The Lord’s desire for the Laodicea church was for them all to respond and be zealous for Him again, but He realised that the response would be personal for each one of them. While Jesus’ desire was for the whole church to respond, ultimately it was up to the individual to decide if they would or not.
Just as Jesus’ request of the Laodicean church required an individual response His call to the church today also requires an individual response. We can easily allow the events around us to overwhelm us and effectively push Jesus away, so that He is no longer an important part of our life. It is just so easy to become distracted with all the cares and concerns of this world.
But as Jesus said to the Laodiceans, He does not want us to do this. He actually wants to be part of our lives so that we can enjoy the special bond like that which comes from a relaxed evening meal[2] together with someone special.
As Horatius Bonar said in his "Commentary on Revelation 3:20"[3], The King comes in to our earthly cottage as a guest, to take a place at our poor table, and to partake of our homely meal. He comes in lowliness and love, as well as meekness and gentleness. He is so pleasant, and so accessible.
Does this seem too good to be true? Remember Matthew 11:28-30 in which Jesus says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (NKJV)
When the Lord says “Come”, this word expresses the desire of the compassionate heart of the Saviour who is appealing for people to come to Him instead of having to put up with their current oppression.
We should understand that he Lord is talking about more than just absorbing more information. He is talking about a change of life, a transformed life-style bought about by an intimate relationship with Him.[4]
There is no point in being a frustrated lukewarm Christian. After all, they have too much of the world to be happy in Jesus, and also too much of Jesus to be happy in the world.
Does it not make sense to commit to the Lord knowing that His way is the right way, and that He will always be there for us with gentle perfect love?
[1] 1967 February 10, The Paducah Sun-Democrat, Section B: Family Section, Wickliffe Woman’s Club Hears Program On “Apathy Versus Fanaticism”, Quote Page 1, Column 5, Paducah, Kentucky. (Newspapers_com)
[2] When Jesus said dine with him, He spoke of a specific meal known as the deipnon. “The deipnon was the main meal of the day and was a leisurely affair, not a hurried snack.” (L. Morris) This speaks of fellowship. This speaks of a depth to the relations
[3] Horatius Bonar, "Commentary on Revelation 3:20". "Light & Truth: Bible Thoughts and Themes on Revelation". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bch/revelation-3.html.
[4] The Call To Discipleship: An Invitation To Rest (Matthew 11:28-30) - Bible.org; https://bible.org/article/call-discipleship-invitation-rest-matthew-1128-30
