From today’s verse, let’s examine in light of its context, verse 20 is the picture not of Christ knocking on the door of the heart of a sinner, but knocking on the door of a church full of saints!
“Stand” and “knock” are in the present tense, Jesus keeps on standing and knocking. Every time the word convicts; every prayer that is answered; and every circumstance that blesses; are His knockings.
“Sup” refers to the principle meal of the day, a full-course dinner. He says he will “sup with him and he with Me.” When we make room for Jesus, He brings the feast. When Jesus is in the house, we will be “lukewarm” no longer. Are you a fanatical, fired-up follower of Jesus Christ or are you a fiasco, fizzled out, lukewarm believer?
Growing up I heard stories of my parents taking “castor oil” when they were sick. But in my day, pharmaceutical companies learned that kids take their medicine much easier when it tastes good. Jesus has laid out our medicine in proper dosage. We are to “be zealous and repent” we are to “open the door” and let Him come in. In taking this, we find not only does it work but also it is sweet to our taste!
The church cannot open the door, only individual Christians. Corporately we will not see the power of the gospel until we individually welcome Jesus into the heart of our church.