The church in Laodicea was the church but, ironically, Jesus was on the outside knocking on the door, seeking admission. The church had a knowledge of spiritual things but it did not experience the reality of spiritual things. They were, in the words of Jesus, “lukewarm” (vs. 16), a condition foreign to the ways of life in God’s kingdom.
This church lived an unexamined life. Because it had wealth it thought everything was okay. Deep down inside, though, Jesus knew this church was “wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (vs. 17). They had come to focus on the wrong things, and their focus took them on a trajectory of spiritual and life failure. Instead of writing it off, however, Jesus invited this church to invite Him into its story. He stood at the door and knocked, saying, “if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (vs. 20). Jesus’ promise went even further. He said, “He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (vs. 21).
It is a dangerous world in which we live, and Jesus is committed to enabling us to navigate the world in truth, integrity, and holiness. To that end, Jesus calls us out of ourselves and into Himself. He calls us to life, eternal life. He invites us to intimate fellowship with Himself. He calls us to live as citizens of His kingdom in the everyday world of our lives.
On this journey to Pentecost, may we remember that God is with us and that He is present so that we can be overcomers. The resurrected and now living Lord of lords is seeking intimate fellowship with His Church. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (vs. 22).
May our hearts pray today,
You are Lord, You are Lord
You have risen from the dead
And You are Lord
Every knee shall bow
Every tongue confess
That Jesus Christ is Lord
© 1977, Marvin Frey
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