Riverside Advent Devotional — Day 17 — Revelation 3:20
At the beginning of the book of Revelation, Jesus addresses seven churches in Asia Minor individually. In the middle of Chapter 3, he speaks to the church of Laodicea: a lukewarm church. They are neither hot nor cold, Jesus says, and their prosperity has made them ignorant of their need for a savior.
How easy it is in a culture like ours to become that same sort of lukewarm—and particularly at Christmas. When we get so caught up in the rituals and routines of the season that we neglect to think about the one whom they’re supposedly for. When the holiday becomes an act of self indulgence rather than a celebration of the savior’s arrival.
It is so easy to become accustomed to our own self reliance, buying what we want when we want it, and eating whatever we choose. We forget that the maker of everything is the one who dictates our days and our provisions. But amidst the dinner parties and gift exchanges, the festive church services and last minute Publix runs, Jesus is standing outside of your house, knocking, and waiting to be let in. If you listen and open the door, he promises to share a meal with you—a gesture signifying intimate fellowship.
I recently found myself in the trenches of a mental health crisis. My anxiety had become so bad that a task as natural as eating felt terrifying and impossible to me. In my desperation, Jesus knocked, and I swung the door open. He came inside, sat with me at my table, and taught me how to eat again.
We turn to God so quickly when the illusion of our self provision suddenlty falls apart. Hardship can be a blessing in that way. But we don’t have to wait until the point of desperation to open the door to Christ. In truth, we are already desperate for him whether we realize it or not.
This Christmas, Jesus is waiting outside your front door, willing to be in intimate fellowship with you, your family, your church. Will you let him in?
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