He is still risen!  He is still risen indeed!

Sometimes after Easter following the joy of that wonderful day, particularly here at FPC Rochelle, with the incredible worship services we had, there is a spiritual let down.  We always need to remember that what was true on that first resurrection day almost 2000 years ago, and was celebrated here Sunday is still true on Monday and all the days and weeks and years to come.  Jesus is alive and loves us always.

One of my favorite passages of scripture has always been Rev. 3:20: “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 him, and he with me.”  This was written to the church in Laodicea which had grown lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, in their love for Jesus who previously said: “I am about to spit you out of my mouth (Rev. 3:16).”  However, the Greek word used for “stand at the door and knock” is in a tense that means continuous action.  Jesus is continually at the doorway of our heart and lives continuing to seek access even to the darkest recesses of our souls, even when we’ve grown lukewarm, in order to change and transform us.

This verse is famously portrayed in a picture of a cabin in a woods, overgrown with vines, and Jesus standing outside the door knocking.  For those who closely look they see that there is no door handle on the outside, the door can only be opened from the inside.  Jesus desires to have access to every part of our heart and life, but he will not force his way in, however, note the purpose “I will come in and eat with him and he with me.”  Other translations say to have “fellowship.”  Jesus truly desires that we live a victorious Christian life here and now and for all eternity and he desires to help us and guide us.  This passage goes on: “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne (Rev. 3:21).”  In Christ Jesus, our Savior and Lord, we have a hope and promise, not only for this life, but for all eternity.

Rev. Dr. Munn Hinds, Jr.