JANUARY 26, 2024 – COMMUNION

READ: Rev. 3:20-22: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Christ knocks on the door of His church in Laodicea. They had shut Him out. Now, He addresses the members personally to listen to His voice and to open the door of their hearts to Him. Then, there will be true communion with Him. Christ will come in and dine with them.

The initiative comes from Christ: He knocks through the preaching of His Gospel, also knocking at the door of our hearts. He desires to be let in. We must respond and open our hearts, truly embracing His Gospel in our lives with sincere faith.

God doesn’t work without our responsibility. God calls, and He even elicits a response within us, but at the same time, we must also react. Hence, Christ makes an appeal. He urges to come in and dine with us. In doing so, He establishes true communion within us: “I in him and he in Me.” “I with him” comes first. When Christ is inside, He becomes the Host, and we are welcomed to sit at His table.

Having a meal in the East is a symbol of communion. Here, it’s reciprocal covenantal interaction. It’s not specifically about the communion service, although it is a part of it. Communion with Christ continues in the eternal glory for those who overcome.

This applies to all who overcome lukewarmness, half-heartedness, self-satisfaction, and division in the power of the granted faith. As a gift, they may sit with Christ on His throne, just as Christ, after His victory, sat with His Father on His throne. The eternal life that begins here will continue in full glory later. Let’s heed what the Spirit is saying here!

How do you commune with Christ?                  

Singing: Ps. 16:4,5