Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
This passage of scripture represents an open invitation from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself to every individual living on planet earth. The fact that He is standing at the door of our hearts knocking, speaks to us of an ardent desire on His part, for one on one conversation with us. We observe with regret the gradual breakdown of personal communication and intimate interaction amongst neighbors and friends. There was a time in the not too distant past, when friends and families would get together to spend quality time, having face to face contact. We remember not too long ago when neighbors would meet and converse one with another at the local grocery, or at the neighborhood park. Personal contact and physical interaction was, and is supposed to be, an integral part of human relationships.
Today however, great changes have taken place in society, with the advent of electronic devices. As it now stands, most of our communication is done electronically via text messaging, or face book, or cellphones, or twitter, so that the physical, intimate aspect of human interaction is being gradually eliminated from the equation. The result is that we have morphed into an impersonal mode of communicating where we now have options to press "delete" or "block caller". Christ however is looking for a personal relationship that's much deeper, much stronger, and more enduring than those we currently have. He desires not only a specified time of day to commune with us, but He also seeks invitation into every aspect, and daily experience of our lives. He desires to be with us when we go grocery shopping, when we work and when we play, when we rise up and when we lie down. This is what is meant by walking with God; it's not a distant "spiritual"relationship, but a continuous conversation with our Creator about anything and every thing at anytime and in every place.
One day Jesus was passing through the city of Jericho where there lived a man called Zacchaeus. This man was ostracized from society because of the work he was employed to do. Being a tax collector for the Roman authorities, he was treated with disdain by his fellow country men, and so had led a very lonely life. That's when Jesus met him and changed his life forever. The story speaks to us of a deep longing within the human heart that only Jesus can satisfy. Let's read:
19 And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
We observe with joy, the way Jesus interacted with one who was obviously held in contempt by society. We observe with deep interest, the fellowship, the welcome, the invitation and the full acceptance into the family of God. We also cannot help but notice the immediate change brought about by this singular act of Christ coming in to "sup" with him. Not only was the vertical relationship with The Lord restored by this encounter, but the horizontal relationship with his neighbors and fellowmen also took a decided turn for the better.
Friends, this is what Jesus Christ desires to do by coming to "sup" with us personally. Even though we need our human relationships, because we are social beings, yet the relationship with our Creator and Redeemer is the only avenue by which all other aspects of our lives can have true and lasting meaning. Christ invites us today, to open our heart's door to Him, and we are guaranteed that when He comes in to "sup" with us, all of our spiritual, material and social needs, including loneliness would be met, for the scriptures say "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory". Good night" and God bless!