Knock, Knock. No Joke.
One of my earliest memories involves one of those pocket-size Bibles that had a color reproduction of a painting of Jesus knocking on a wooden door with this verse printed on it. It was, of course, a King James Version. Somehow, “I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” didn’t really connect with me.
But “share a meal together as friends” gets it across to me. Likewise, the Common English Bible translation:
Look! I’m standing at the door and knocking. If any hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to be with them, and will have dinner with them, and they will have dinner with me. (Rev. 3:20, CEB)
Several quick things strike me about this verse.
The Greek tense matters. It’s ongoing, as reflected in the CEB: standing and knocking.
Jesus doesn’t force his way in. He waits to be invited in.
When he comes in, it will be almost casual, intimate, the most natural thing in the world.
Consider the separation we have experienced, the sense of isolation that afflicted us long before COVID-19. That’s a powerful picture, especially now.
Come on. Let’s have dinner.
Peace.