The King Who Knocked
Anything in the book of Revelation was scary to me as a kid (low key I'm still a little shaken). I am a visual learner, so the imagery in the book was enough to cause me concern. Yet, one verse always gave me comfort. It was Revelation 3:20, "“Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you." This verse was always affirming. Growing up, folx of other denominations would come to our home. Bless their hearts. They had no idea of the blood born again person that occupied the premises. Yet, no matter how hard they knocked (or rang the bell), we did not respond. What's curious to me when I consider this memory, is that it actually mirrors that of Jesus. For no matter the circumstance we find ourselves entangled within, our High Priest deems it necessary to avail themself to us. He certainly doesn't have to. After all, He is the King of Kings, but it is also His desire that none should perish, and so He knocks.
We are bombarded with the cares of life such to the extent that we often neglect the power we have access to when we simply "open," open ourselves up the possibilities nestled within the Great I Am. The King is knocking - knocking at the door of our hearts, attempting to interrupt ill manufactured thought patterns and generational trauma. Not only do our circumstances that appear insurmountable silence the knock, but also the noise around us. As we navigate each of life's twists and turns, our consistency must be grounded in the One who sees, hears and knows all. As we lean into His pierced side, we obtain mercy, knowledge, direction, clarity and peace - all within the knocking.
There is significant controversy regarding if the knocking is literal or figuratively speaking; or whether the sound is reserved for a time to come as opposed to the present. I am not such a scholar to know, but I would suggest that we consider wherever we find ourselves and look unto Him, the author and finisher of our faith to prepare ourselves for His second coming. Each time we witness something in the earth that causes us to pause, to pray, to scream, to cry out, to moan and to weep, we can receive such as "knocking" and God's invitation to be in the presence of Him in order to prevail.
There's been a lot of noise in my vicinity. God often allows such to serve as our wake up call - our admonishment to seek His face as opposed to His hand. What I love about Revelation 3:20 is that not only does He care enough to knock, but He also has promised to come in and sit down to commune with us - but there is a condition. We must hear and open. When I'm not careful, I can drown the knocking out all by myself. You know, "pity party of one," reminding myself of all the dreams that were never cast, or missed opportunities for thinking I knew better than an all wise God. Thank God for grace and that the King has elected and purposed to knock anyway.
My heart has been heavy. I navigated 2020 remarkably well considering, but this 2021 is set up completely different and requiring all that I practiced and committed in 2020 to work now on my behalf. I trust God. I trust Him to see me through, see us through every situation. As we avail ourselves to hearing Him, opening unto Him and supping with Him, He makes additional promise. In verse 21 we are reminded, "Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!"
In the non spiritual realm, kings don't knock. Kings are concerned about self. But in our predestined realm, the King who elected the cross for our abundance, desires that we cast down our crowns to the Holy One. Saints, we must endure. And as we endure, we must sustain someone else. Jesus knocks, but we often have access to get in and share encouragement, affirmation, love and care. As followers, we should desire that all become conquerors. It's a big table - enough for everyone. All that is required is to open.