SUMMARY
Jesus calls the church in Laodicea to repent by depicting himself as knocking at a door. If the Christians respond, they will enjoy renewed fellowship with him.
ANALYSIS
Jesus standing at the door, knocking, is a familiar way to depict his desire for a relationship with people. The verse sits in the context of a message warning Christians who have become complacent. The church at the city of Laodicea in Asia Minor (modern Turkey) was prosperous and self-satisfied. In Revelation the people of this church are said to be merely lukewarm in faith. They are challenged to repentRepentance is a central biblical teaching. All people are sinful and God desires that all people repent of their sins. The Hebrew word for repent means to "turn away" from sin. The Greek word for repentance means to "change on'e mind," more specifically, it means... More, and the image of Jesus standing at the door is a way of calling those who already consider themselves Christians to a renewed commitment to the faith.
