Week 52 Day 3

November 23, 2022

Jesus' Message to the Church in Laodicea

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-22(NIV)

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Devotional

Laodicea was close to the city of Colossae. Paul concluded his letter to the Colossians by saying, “After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16). Unfortunately, that letter to the Church in Laodicea is lost.

The city of Laodicea had a water problem. Their water supply was lukewarm and laden with minerals, hardly tasty to drink. Nearby Colossae to the southeast was famous for cold, clear drinking water. Nearby Hierapolis to the north had incredible hot springs. Jesus upbraided the Christians in Laodicea with these poignant words, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” The metaphor was clear.

An astonishingly wealthy city, Laodicea produced beautiful and renowned black wool for clothing and had a medical school that made an important eye salve. So Jesus continued His reprimand, “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”

Hmm. Sound familiar? Self-sufficient person with lukewarm faith. Sound like anybody you know? (Hint: you might start by looking in the mirror).

Why would Jesus talk so harshly to His people? He gives the answer in this passage: “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Jesus loves us enough to accept us just the way we are, and he loves us enough to never want us to stay just the way we are.

What aspects of self-sufficiency and lukewarmness might Jesus rebuke and discipline in you? How will you be earnest and repent, opening the door to a more profound feast with Him?