In episode 4 of Read It Again, I look at Revelation 3:20, the verse behind that famous painting of Jesus knocking at a garden door. For over a century that image has shaped how we read this verse, Jesus patiently waiting outside a heart that has never let him in. But the actual text was written to a church, the wealthiest and most self sufficient of the seven churches in Revelation, and the only one Jesus had nothing good to say about. This is the fourth episode of the Read It Again series, and it marks a turn from God’s promises in hard seasons to what Jesus sees when he looks at a comfortable, well managed church. The invitation in this verse is not to start a relationship with Christ. It is to come back to one that has quietly drifted. If you have ever wondered whether the busyness of church life can crowd out the actual presence of Jesus, this episode is for you.
Interesting Links:
- GotQuestions.org. (n.d.). What was Jesus’ message to the church in Laodicea?
- Affinity. (n.d.). Knocking on sinners’ doors? Revelation 3:20, ecclesiology and the gospel offer.
- St Paul’s Cathedral. (n.d.). The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt.
- Christian Turkiye. (n.d.). Laodicea Turkey: History and archaeology explored.
- Biblical Archaeology Society. (n.d.). The church of Laodicea in the Bible and archaeology.
- Osborne, G. R. (2002). Revelation. Baker Academic.
- Wright, N. T. (2011). Revelation for everyone. Westminster John Knox Press.
- Mounce, R. H. (1998). The book of Revelation (Rev. ed.). Eerdmans.
- Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: A commentary on the Greek text. Eerdmans.
References to Bible Verses:
Revelation 3:15–17; Revelation 3:18; Revelation 3:19; Revelation 3:20
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