open the door

"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Revelation 3:20, NIV

I see a parallel between the urgent search of the maiden for her beloved in Song of Songs (5:1-16) and the desperate grief of Mary in the garden when she looks for Jesus (John 20:10-16). Surely Mary would have described Jesus as the maiden describes her love: altogether lovely, my  beloved, my friend.

But there is a stark contrast, too. The maiden lost her love because she chose not to open her door. She was indifferent to her lover’s approach, reluctant to get up and go to him. This was never an issue for Mary. Mary followed Jesus willingly, became a disciple and funded his ministry. But loving Jesus cost her a great deal more than money. Mary was, after all, one of the women at the foot of the cross. A friend who stood by her beloved Teacher as he died an unspeakably brutal, unjust death. No wonder she grieved so openly in the garden.

Today's verse from Revelation tells us that in a similar way to the lover in Song of Songs, Jesus knocks at our door asking to come in. And, like the maiden, we can choose not to open the door or we can welcome Jesus into every area of our lives in the same way Mary does.

Be warned there may be a cost involved; life with Jesus is an extraordinary adventure but not without its challenges. But be encouraged; once you’ve said “yes” to him you’ll never need to search for an altogether lovely, beloved friend again. You will have found the lover of your soul.

Let's pray
Lord Jesus help me to grow in the awareness that you are my best friend and the one who loves me unconditionally. Help me, too, to keep the door open to you at all times. Thank you that I can call you my friend. Amen.