December 9, 2023 - Revelation 3:14-22

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea . . .”  Once again, it is clear that the church in Laodicea and we are hearing from the Lord himself:  “The words of the Amen . . .” (4:14).  I suspect that the description of this church fits so many of us, today, as individuals and as churches:  neither hot nor cold, just lukewarm.  God does not like lukewarm anymore than we like lukewarm coffee or burgers.  Lukewarm is just sort of, well, yukky.  And, as we might spit out food that is lukewarm, so will the Lord do so with those who, believing they are well off, are actually wretched and pitiable.  Wow, we tend to look at the same people and declare them to be “carnal Christians” or, well, “lukewarm Christians.”  God, however, spews these out of his mouth.

The gospel calls us to a passionate and full following of Christ.  And to those who so follow him, Jesus promises, “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Mathew 19:29).  And the Lord, because he loves us as his children, reproves and disciplines so that we repent and zealously follow after him.  To Laodicea, to all the churches, and to us, Christ says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (3:22).

O what, if we are Christ’s,

Is earthly shame or loss?

Bright shall the crown of glory be

When we have borne the cross.

Keen was the trial once,

Bitter the cup of woe,

When martyred saints, baptized in blood,

Christ's sufferings shared below.

Bright is their glory now,

Boundless their joy above,

Where on the bosom of their God,

They rest in perfect love.   --H. W. Baker (1852)