A Revelation Invitation

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
“ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.’ ” (Revelation 3:14-16 ESV)

Easily the wealthiest city in the region, Laodicea was world renowned for its robust banking system, a thriving fashion industry and highly respected medical facilities and treatments. The city’s prosperity and culture of self-sufficiency infected the church sowing seeds of complacency, a condition that sickened Jesus. In fact Jesus found nothing to commend about this church.

Nestled in the Lycus River valley just a few miles from both Colossae and Hierapolis, Laodicea’s population growth meant that the river could not keep up with the city’s water demands. They considered tapping into the cold, refreshing water that supplied Colossae, but settled on piping in water from the hot mineral springs of the closer Hierapolis. By the time that hot water reached Laodicea it was lukewarm. When an unsuspecting visitor drank from this water, he would gag and spit it out. How they wished they had cold, refreshing water like Colossae or even the medicinal hot springs of Hierapolis. But this lukewarm water was all but useless.

With pointed accusation, Jesus condemned this church for its uselessness. He wanted them to be cold and refreshing or hot and healing, but he found them uselessly lukewarm in their witness for him. So much so that he wanted metaphorically to vomit them out of his mouth. This condemnation was spoken by the Amen whose words carried the finality of absolute truth. This judgment was declared by the one who sacrificed his life as the faithful and true witness of God. This reproach came from the one who sat on the throne that ruled all creation. Jesus spoke with the authority of his words, of his life and of his position. These were hard words to hear, but Jesus was making clear that his evaluation of their spiritual condition was irrefutable.

We don’t know how this church received that harsh message. Anyone who has ever been justly rebuked knows how startling it is. But when that rebuke is taken to heart, it begins the process of repentance and healing. Sometimes we need to be shaken to the core to open our eyes to our own plight. Jesus loved this church. He spoke the truth. He confronted them for their own benefit. Americans can relate to this church with its prosperity and complacency. We live in a country of comfort and abundance. Like the church in Laodicea we may not even be aware of this danger of being infected with a similar attitude of self-sufficiency. A hard look at ourselves could go a long way toward working out our own salvation.

Lord Jesus, has the abundance that you bless me with made me blind to my own condition? Open my eyes to my pride. Help me recognize the illusion of my self-sufficiency. I have many needs before you that I cannot supply myself. I desperately need rescue that only you can provide. Even you, as the son of man, walked humbly before your Father in heaven. I can do no less. Give me a heavenly perspective on the prosperity I enjoy in this place. Amen.