A knocking at the front door startled me from my semi-slumber on the couch. I raised my phone to check the camera feed and couldn’t believe my eyes. Jesus stood at my front door. I thought it was a dream, but the knocking continued.
What would you do if you knew God wanted to fellowship with you?
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible tells us that God wants to be with his people. Adam and Eve heard the sound of God walking in the garden and spoke with him. Moses met with God on the mountaintop, where God wrote the Ten Commandments on a stone tablet. On many occasions, Moses called out to God for guidance as he led the people from Egypt.
From his overwhelming love and desire to fellowship with his creation, God instructed Moses to build a place so he could always dwell with his beloved children. Have the people of Israel build Me a holy sanctuary so I can live among them. You must build this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the pattern I will show you. (Exodus 25: 8-9 NIV)
When they completed it with precise details, God came down as he promised and dwelt among the Israelites.
As a parent, nothing pleases me more than to have my children with me. They are adults with their own families, but my heart overflows with joy when they come around – especially the spontaneous visits. In the same way, our Father in Heaven wants to be with us. He made us, and we are his people, his creation. Most of all, He wants you and me, of our own free will, to desire to be with him. Not from obligation but simply because we enjoy him.
In a prophecy concerning the restoration of Israel around 580 B.C., Ezekial declared the enduring message of God’s desire. I will make My home among them. I will be their God, and they will be My people. (Ezekiel 37:27 NIV)
God relentlessly loved his chosen people and again proclaimed his earnest desire through the prophet Zechariah around 500 B.C. The LORD says, Shout and rejoice, O beautiful Jerusalem, for I am coming to live among you. (Zechariah 2:10 NIV)
Do we need a temple like the one Moses built so God will come and dwell with us? No, Jesus came to help us out with that part.
Jesus left his glorious home in heaven to come to earth and live with humanity. He came to tell the world, in person, how much his Father longs to have a relationship with you and me.
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them”. John14:23 NIV
New life begins with the amazing miracle of God and man enjoying fellowship. Jesus came to repair the broken relationship between God and mankind and to bridge the chasm caused by sin that separates us. When Jesus died on the cross, he took the punishment we all deserve and suffered in our place. He closed the gap by his death and resurrection and made a way to get to God. If we believe this, he declares us not guilty and gives us his Holy Spirit to live within our hearts. When this happens, we are like the temple Moses built, holy and ready for God.
God will complete his desire to be with us when this world ceases to exist as we know it. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them.” Rev 21:3 NIV
Jesus calls. Are you listening?
“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” Rev 3:20 (NLT)
That knocking continued at my door until, one day, I opened my heart and said yes to Jesus. At a place called the Upper Room, where some radical teens met to talk about the Lord, sing, and experience the one true God, I met my friend and Lord Jesus Christ. A new life exciting, challenging, and full of joy and hope began for me, and you can have the same.
God desires to be with you. He’s knocking at your door. Will you let him come in?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God who died for my sins. Please forgive me. I want the gift of eternal life and a new spirit within me. Please, come into my heart and give me your Holy Spirit. I want to know you and be with you. Jesus, thank you for hearing my prayer. Amen.
What to Do:
- Read the Bible. God will speak to you through his written word. You will learn about him and his characteristics, what he likes and dislikes, and how much he loves you. Listen for him, and you will soon recognize his voice when he speaks to your heart.
- Find a church that believes the Bible to be the infallible word of God.
- Tell someone what has happened. Contact us, and we will pray for you.