006 - Who is Listening?

Hearing God’s Voice: Who’s Listening?

One of the most striking passages about hearing God’s voice comes from

Revelation 3:20:

“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.”

At first glance, many of us associate this verse with Jesus knocking on the door of an individual’s heart, asking to be let in. That’s how it was often explained to me growing up. But when we dig deeper, we see that this verse is part of a message to the Church of Laodicea—not a single person, but an entire congregation.

Jesus isn’t outside the heart of one person; He’s outside the church, knocking and calling, hoping someone will hear Him and let Him in.

A Church Without Christ

This realization hit me hard when I first understood it. Imagine this: a church, a gathering of believers, going about their activities, yet Christ Himself is outside, seeking entry.

The Church of Laodicea had grown lukewarm, complacent, and self-reliant. They thought they had it all together, but Jesus saw their spiritual poverty and was essentially saying, “You’ve shut Me out.” His knock wasn’t an act of condemnation—it was an invitation.

Jesus longs to be in the midst of His people, sharing fellowship, speaking life, and transforming hearts. He doesn’t want to be a distant figure admired from afar; He wants to commune with us, deeply and personally.

Hearing His Knock

Notice the language in this passage:

• “If anyone hears My voice…”
• “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
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The focus isn’t just on the knock itself—it’s on the ability to hear His voice. This isn’t a passive act. Hearing requires attention, humility, and a willingness to respond.

How often do we get so caught up in our routines that we stop listening for Him? It’s easy to assume we’re doing everything right while unknowingly leaving Jesus on the outside, knocking.

A Personal Reflection

This verse challenges me deeply. I don’t want to be someone who keeps Jesus at arm’s length, whether in my personal life or in the church. I want to be the one who recognizes His voice, opens the door, and welcomes Him in—not just as a guest, but as the Lord of the house.

Think about the promise that comes with opening the door:

• “I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Dining is a picture of intimacy and fellowship. In the culture of the Bible, sharing a meal meant more than just eating—it symbolized relationship, belonging, and connection. Jesus is offering us that kind of closeness, but it starts with listening to His voice and responding.

What About Us?

Let’s take a moment to reflect:

• Are we listening for His voice, or are we distracted by the noise of life?
• Have we unintentionally locked Him out of parts of our lives or even our churches?

The imagery of Jesus knocking is a beautiful reminder of His persistence and patience. He doesn’t force His way in; He waits for an invitation.

A Prayer

Lord, help us to hear Your voice and recognize Your knock. May we never grow so complacent or self-sufficient that we forget our need for You. Come into our hearts, our homes, and our churches. Dine with us, speak to us, and transform us.

We don’t want to be like the Church of Laodicea, blind to our need and deaf to Your call. Instead, may we be a people who listen, who open the door, and who welcome You in with open hearts.

He who has an ear, let him hear.