Revelation 3:19-22 The Passion Translation: 19 All those I dearly love I unmask and train. So repent and be eager to pursue what is right. 20 Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me. 21 And to the one who conquers. I will give the privilege of sitting with me on my throne, just as I conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 The one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is saying now to the churches.
My imagination is captured by an artistic rendition of this scripture showing Jesus calling in the dark. He stands holding a light waiting to be let inside. Maybe because it’s our choice, since the doorknob is on our side. To feast with Jesus was an invitation to an international family meal. To become family meant there were cultural and social barriers to overcome.
This worldwide pandemic has forced us behind closed doors. It has exposed the dark underbelly of our institutions marred by injustice. Can we ignore the knock on our collective hearts? How do we hear Jesus’ invitation to his table today? If we could hear his prayer we might hear “Father, may they be one as we are one, so the world may believe.”
Since the heart that is open listens carefully, I invite you to listen like this:
- Find a quiet place without distractions.
- Pray: “Lord give me ears to hear.”
- Take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes. Imagine yourself feasting at Jesus’ table. What are you thinking? and feeling? Discuss it with him.
- Stay still and listen. If distracting thoughts come, let them go and repeat, “Lord, give me ears to hear.” Listen for any scriptures or images that might bring comfort or for an invitation to become the change the world needs.
- As you go about your day, listen for Jesus’ knock on your heart and the grace to respond.
By Carmen Fleming
Thank you, Carmen, for sharing this beautiful meditation with us.
Thanks Carmen, so true, may the Lord give us ears and hearts to hear!
Lord, help me first take down the “Do Not Disturb” sign from my door…
Learning to listen…that is our daily struggle. To recognize the voice of our Lord when there are so many other „voices“ competing to gain our attention is a real challenge. Blessed is she/he whose ears hear.
Thank you Carmen.
Thanks Carmen for reminding us of the Unity we have in Jesus Christ with God and with Man. God has gathered us all together in ONE, no longer apart or separate from each other, but are even as He is so are we! He is in the Father and the Father is in Him so we are in Christ Jesus and He is in us! John 17:21-23, Eph 1:10
Thank you so much.