Someone recently asked a question on Facebook: “Who is the most famous person you have ever met?”
The responses were interesting and some were funny.
Suppose the question had been: “Who is the most famous person you have ever shared a meal with?”
You could have answered, “Jesus,” and have been absolutely correct.
The risen and ascended Jesus Christ said, “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me” (Revelation 3.20).
The humility of God is evident in Jesus’ words. He is the one who knocks and requests an invitation into our lives.
When we welcome him, he graces our dinner table with his presence.
I am not a expert in world religions by any means, but I know of no world religion whose God is willing to be this personal and intimate with humans.
When Jesus chose disciples to follow him throughout Galilee and to Jerusalem, it appears that he never ate another meal alone. Meals were a time of friendship, joy, fun, and instruction.
Dinner with Mary and Martha
One of the most notable dining experiences with Jesus was the one with Mary and Martha.
— Luke 10.38-42 – Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.
She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.
But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.”
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things;
“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross and I confess that we have more in common with Martha than with Mary.
Probably the biggest issue with Martha was the way she took it upon herself to tell Jesus what to do.
I wish it weren’t so, but there are times when my prayers must sound like Martha’s complaint.
I think it is beneficial for us to think about how our words must sound to Jesus. Our prayers are not like orders we give at a drive-thru window of a fast food restaurant.
Even though Jesus is a guest at the home of all Martha-types, this person believes they are in control. They think, “If Jesus will only give me what I want, all will be well.”
We all do well to evaluate the attitudes and actions that are behind the words of our prayers.
When we pray, we are talking with a real person, even though he is the Greatest Person of all time.
The same relationship characteristics that are part of good communication between friends should be present when we talk with the Lord.
One method you might try is to place a chair in front of you when you pray. Imagine Jesus seated in the chair when you speak with him.
How would you speak with the President, your boss, or a sports star, it they were seated before you? Give Jesus the same respect and benefit of your attention.
Followers of Jesus have used the Gospels to hear from Jesus for centuries. Try listening to Jesus through the Gospel account and talk to him about what you are reading.
What about Mary?
Jesus was a guest at the home of Mary and Martha. Mary allowed her sister to prepare dinner, while she sat and listened to Jesus.
Jesus told the sisters that “Mary has chosen the better part” (Luke 10.42).
People who resemble Mary hear the knock of Jesus at the door of their hearts. They invite him to be a part of their lives and listen to him.
Whatever way you communicate with the Lord, please make sure to find a way to listen to Jesus.
Here are some ideas you might try.
(1) Have a chair in the room for Jesus.
(2) Tell Jesus that you have heard his knock at your heart’s door and that you are inviting him into your life for a visit.
(3) Read a portion from one of the Gospels. Ask the Lord to guide your reading and to help you meet with Jesus.
(4) As you read a portion and talk to the Lord about it, you will find that Jesus is using the Bible to communicate with you.
(5) Sense the presence of Jesus in the chair in front of you. Listen to him and talk to him, just as you would in any other conversation.
I have given you a five-step plan for meeting Jesus. It is not intended to be followed as a prescription, but as a suggestion.
If you spend time each day in some form of communication with Jesus, he will definitely help you. He is the one who knocks at your heart’s door, because he wants a relationship with you.
He will guide you to find a way that fits who you are. Each person will have a different approach to Jesus.
The main issue is that we respond to Jesus’ knock day-after-day. He wants intimate friendship with us and deserves our positive response.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube video. We talk about how we resemble Martha and desire to be more like Mary.
The video is on the Bob Spradling YouTube channel.
Please email your prayer request to bprad49@gmail.com or private message me on Facebook. The Maywood prayer team will pray for you.
Real Voices 