Let’s Be Friends

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Revelation 3:20 NLT

I love the beautiful invitation that Jesus gives in Revelation 3:20 to hear His knock, open the door, and share a meal with Him as a friend. We just opened our home to share a meal with friends for the first time since moving to South Carolina, and it was so much fun! We plan on doing this much more as we build community here, and we’ve always loved grabbing lunch or dinner—or even coffee—with our friends, too. One of the fastest ways to get to know people is to sit down and share a meal with them. There’s just something special that happens around a table.

If I reflect on this further, truly, the people I’m closest to, I’ve also eaten with a lot. It’s something we have to do three times a day, so if we’re spending a lot of time with someone, we’re naturally going to grab food with them at some point. This invitation from Jesus was not about the food, but rather the friendship that forms around the table.

Let’s look at this invitation in context. This was a message to the church in Laodicea, a church that was “lukewarm” in their faith. They claimed to be rich and have everything they wanted and needed—yet Jesus called them wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked (Revelation 3:14–19). They were rich in things that didn’t last, while poor when it came to anything of eternal value. While Jesus warns them He would spit them out of His mouth because they were neither hot nor cold, He also reminds them that He corrects and disciplines everyone He loves—and then, He gives this beautiful invitation to an intimate friendship. This was an invitation to turn the page on their indifference. To welcome Him into the picture. To truly know Him and call Him friend.

We can learn so much from the church in Laodicea because many of us can be just like this today—believing Jesus is the Son of God, but leaving it there—not really stopping long enough to hear Him speak or involve Him in our day-to-day lives. We feel like we’ve got it on our own—our bills are paid, our needs are met. “I’m fine.” Many of us not only skip out on communion with Jesus, but we don’t really make much time for having any friends, period. The idea of having friends around our table sounds like too much effort and energy. Hungry? I’ll just DoorDash it and binge another Netflix show instead.

Yet even the most introverted people still need community to thrive. Studies have shown that chronic isolation and loneliness are associated with poorer health outcomes, and that hospital patients with visitors often recover more quickly than those who recover in isolation. Community with people, whether it comes easy for us or not, is a physical need.

God uses all of His creation to point to His character. He designed us for communion, both with Him and with others. We become like the people we spend the most time with. If we want to reflect God’s character, we have to spend time with Him and open the door of our hearts to allow Him in. An isolated and lonely life is not a rich one.

Maybe you’ve been telling yourself, “I’ve got this,” for way too long—shutting the door to allowing anyone in, even God. Friend, I pray that today you would hear His gentle and loving invitation and welcome Him in. If you’ve isolated yourself from others—or are struggling in any other area of your life—He would love a seat at the table, giving you a life that is truly “rich.”

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 NLT