ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

 Tusite ‘Okatopa 24, 2023

When Christ Knocks

Ko e Taimi ‘oku Tukituki ai ‘a Kalaisi

SONG OF SONGS 5:2-3

ISLEPT, BUT MY HEART WAS AWAKE. A SOUND! MY BELOVED IS KNOCKING. "OPEN TO ME, MY SISTER, MY LOVE, MY DOVE, MY PERFECT ONE, FOR MY HEAD IS WET WITH DEW, MY LOCKS WITH THE DROPS OF THE NIGHT." IHAD PUT OFF MY GARMENT; HOW COULD I PUT IT ON? I HAD BATHED MY FEET; HOW COULD I SOIL THEM?

HIVA ‘O E HIVA 5:2-3

2“ To‘o kiate au, si‘oku tuofefine; Si‘oku ‘ofa‘anga, si‘eku lupe, si‘eku ta‘emele: He ko hoku ‘ulu ni ‘oku hausia, Pea viku hoku lau ‘i he tulutā ‘o e pō.” 3 Kuo u to‘o hoku kofu loto; fēfē ha‘aku toe ‘ai? Kuo u fufulu hoku va‘e, pea ko e pehē ke toe ‘uli‘i?

The church of Laodicea said to herself, "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need othing," but they didn't realize they were "wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:17). Much like the woman in Song of Songs, who was naked in bed, had washed her feet, and was initially unwilling to open the door to her beloved, so the Laodicean church was spiritually lazy, lukewarm, unwilling to act. Yet the Lover dafaq ("knocks"). Based on the other two accurrences of this verb (Gen. 33:13; Judg. 19:22), this is not light tapping but vigorous pounding. The knuckles rap with vehement desire. In the Song, she hesitates, then finally gets up, but by then her "beloved had turned and gone" (5:6).

Jesus stood "at the door and knock[ed]" at Laodicea (Rev. 3:20). He calls us, not like a door-to-door salesman, but a zealous lover, battering our hearts, seeking entrance, seeking us. Repent and believe. The Lord of grace and forgiveness desires us as his own.

Holy Spirit, who calls us by the Gospel, give us open and contrite hearts that rejoice at your entrance.