The Reproof of Love
For Meditation
Last week we looked at the first of the seven letters from Jesus to his churches. This week, we’re looking at the last. This is probably the most familiar of the seven, both because of Jesus’ strong words of revulsion (“spit you out of my mouth”) and also the tender imagery of his knocking on the door. Of all seven letters, this is the only one that includes no praise or commendation from Jesus whatsoever.
This particular letter is fascinating because it draws so heavily on imagery that is directly related to the local environment of Loadicea. The city was known for several things: it was a banking center, it was a center for textile and fashion, and it had a famous medical school that was particularly known for its eye salve. Read verses 3:17-18 in light of that knowledge. A more negative aspect of its reputation however was its poor drinking water. Because it was situated in a location that did not have its own water source, it had to pipe water in from either the hot springs of Hierapolis to the north or the cold mountain water from Collosae to the south. Either way, by the time the water reached Loadicea, it was tasteless and tepid. You can see how this image would have been particularly striking for the Christians of Loadicea in its use in verse 16.
What does it mean to be a lukewarm Christian? That’s something we’ll explore that we should take very seriously, given our own wealth, comfort and power. Though the church of Laodicea believed all the right things about Jesus, when it actually came down to their everyday life, they relied completely on their own strength, power, and wealth.
In preparation for worship, read through all seven letters in chapters 2 and 3, and ask the Holy Spirit to give us ears to hear.
Revelation 3:14–22
14 “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. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 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. 18 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.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 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.
21 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. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Note: We will not be going through the Revelation series at our outdoor services. Instead, we’ll be looking at short stories about Jesus from the Gospel accounts. Keep up with this Revelation sermon series by listening here.