Revelation 3:20 - "It's Me."

One thing that fascinates me in walking the streets of old, Italian cities are the doorknockers. Some are plain rings, but many depict a lion or face of some kind. Many look ferocious, as if guarding the entrance.

The doorman at one hotel explained to me that some are placed quite high on larger doors. In earlier centuries, a high-placed knocker allowed a horseman to knock at a door without dismounting. The doorknockers are more decorative than functional, now, but they remain as works of artistic craftsmanship.

During a recent visit, we stopped by the home of some friends in Florence. The building used to belong to Sandro Botticelli's family in the 15th century, but now it is divided into apartments. There is no door knocker. Instead, there is an intercom system at the main door at ground level. You push a button next to the name of the resident. Over the intercom, they ask who it is, and when you give your name your friend pushes a buzzer, unlocking the door for you to enter the building.

It was not the best speaker and microphone and the lady of the home didn't understand my wife's Italian. She wouldn't buzz open the door! Fortunately her husband came home just then. She recognized his voice, of course, and we all went up to the apartment to share some homemade soup with our friends.

Whether you use a buzzer, an antique doorknocker, or simply your knuckles, what happens when you knock on a locked door? The person inside asks, "Who is it?" The one outside the door will give their name. But if it's someone familiar, all they have to say is, "It's me."

Jesus says:
“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, New Living Translation, 2015).

It's not just about hearing a knock--it's hearing a voice... Jesus' voice. 

Lord Jesus, tune our ears to hear You and recognize Your voice, especially when your main intent is to share Your friendship with us.  Amen.