“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.” Revelation 3:14 (ESV)
Located on a major trade route, Laodicea was a very wealthy city where many bankers and financiers lived. When the city was destroyed in A.D. 61 by an earthquake they were able to rebuild without government assistance. Laodicea was famous for its school of medicine and was particularly known for its many salves including one for eye ailments (v18). Laodicea lacked a good source of water supply that forced them to build aqueducts to bring water to the city from five miles away. However, when the water arrived in the city it was lukewarm and slightly salty. Nearby Hierapolis had medicinal hot brings and neighboring Colossae’s water supply came from a cold mountain stream. Jesus referenced these facts when he rebuked the Laodicean church for their works being neither hot nor cold (Revelation 3:15).
Because of the great wealth in Laodicea it is likely that the church there was “blessed” with great financial resources. However, this perceived blessing appears to be more of a curse. Jesus rebuked the church saying, “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (Revelation 3:17 ESV) The great wealth of the Laodicean church had left them with a false sense of security and caused their hearts to grow lukewarm toward God. Jesus did not rebuke them for unbelief, so they must have believed in him. Rather, Jesus rebuked them for not having ardent love and affection for him that would be expected in those who claimed to know him.
Isn’t it easy to see this condition in our own lives at times and in the church at large? Our affections toward Christ too often become tepid being mixed with our affections toward material things. When all seems to be going well with us we often times forget our need for God and our intimacy with him cools. Too often our eyes become fixed on the gifts and our hearts grow apathetic in our affections toward the giver.
Such too often is the case with the western church especially. As the church has prospered financially it seems to have exchanged the truths of God’s word for the affections of the donors in the pew and the offerings in the box. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil even in the church (1 Timothy 6:10).
Jesus loved the church in Laodicea, (v19) so he gave them a remedy for their illness and called them to repentance. It serves as good counsel and a remedy for the church today. He told them, “I counsel you to buy from me. . . .” Jesus seemed to be saying to the Laodicean church to stop depending on their wealth and the bountiful economic system of the world for their sustenance. In essence he was telling them that his economic system was well equipped to supply their every need (2 Peter 1:3). And Jesus offered even more than the world could offer. He was standing at the door knocking and promised that he would come in to dine (intimacy) with anyone who would hear his voice and open the door (v20).
Numerous preachers have interpreted Revelation 3:20 as an invitation of salvation to a lost world. But, Jesus is speaking to his church, his bride, those whom he loves. He pleads with us to sever our affections toward material things and heighten tour affections toward him. Our reward will be to have Jesus dine with us. To the one who conquers it will be granted to sit with Jesus on his throne (v21).
Have you conquered your affections for what this world offers? Have you opened the door to Jesus?
Scriptures for meditation:
PIsaiah 55:1