Thursday, December 12, 2024 - AT THE DOOR

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Thursday, December 12, 2024 - Day 346 (Through the Bible in a year reading for today: Hosea 12-14; Rev. 3)

AT THE DOOR

“Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut... Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:8 & 20 ESV)

The “open door” of verse 8 “symbolizes the Gospel invitation. Those who believe in Jesus enter into eternal life through their faith in Him.... (Verse 20) In this particular case, the image of Christ standing at the door may be related to the parable of the servants whose master is at the wedding feast [Luke 12:35-40]. They are expected to be ready and waiting for him when he appears, with the promise that those servants whom he finds ready will be blessed. “I will come...eat with him,” is best understood as referring to both the Church’s weekly celebrations of the Eucharist and the eternal, messianic banquet in heaven.” (The Lutheran Study Bible, CPH, 2009, pages 2206 and 2207)

The picture included here ties both of these verses together. Jesus is coming to us with His Gospel invitation. He wants to be part of our busy, everyday lives. The point is that we need to notice Him. We need the blessings He imparts in our weekly trips to the Communion table. We need His forgiveness and His gift of faith so that we will be ready when He comes to take us to heaven.

   Once He came in blessing,

   All our sins redressing;

   Came in likeness lowly,

   Son of God most holy;

   Bore the cross to save us;

   Hope and freedom gave us.

   (Lutheran Service Book 333)

 

Lord Jesus Christ, please keep knocking on the door of my life. May the Holy Spirit keep me in the faith so that my door will always be open to You. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape