An Empty Profession.
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” – Revelation 3:15-17 NLT
The Laodicean church is described in terms of lukewarm water. Hot drinks and cold drinks can both be refreshing. A cold drink on a hot day really hits the spot. A hot drink on a cold day warms your toes the way few things can. But lukewarm water on any kind of day is nauseating to most people.
About 10 km from ancient Laodicea was the city of Heirapolis, famous for its hot springs – the Rotorua (NZ) of the ancient biblical world. There are geysers, bubbling springs, and extensive terraces of mineral water. In fact, the terraces stand out visibly from anywhere on the site of ancient Laodicea. The water in Hierapolis was and is hot. A few kilometres to the east of Laodicea was Colossae, there the groundwater was cold. But Laodicea had no natural source of water. The city was located where it was because it was the junction between two major roads. So Laodicea piped its water from hot springs far away and by the time it reached the city the water was lukewarm.
The point Jesus seems to have been making was that the church at Laodicea was unattractive and useless like lukewarm water. The church at Laodicea was satisfied with less than God’s best, it was absorbed in mediocrity. Jesus’ response to the church is arresting. “You make Me want to throw up!” Previous churches were in deterioration or decline, but this church is really in trouble.
Laodicea is the last church in history. The only hope of the Laodiceans is a clear view of their standing before God.
How can it be that the final church in history, the one that will see the consummation of all things, could be so self-sufficient and hold to an empty profession? This is Jesus’ final message to the church!
What is wrong with Laodicea? In a human sense, there is nothing wrong with Laodicea. She has achieved what all human beings desire; comfort, ease, the alleviation of all needs. But Laodicea is a church, and Jesus Christ has called the church to a life of self-sacrificial service. The church is to leave its comfort zone and take radical risks to share the gospel with those in need. Our comfort zone, however, can be deceptively hidden even from ourselves.
Laodiceans assume that their prosperity and ease are rights that they are entitled to. They have little sense that sin has relegated us all to a deep inner wretchedness that is only masked by the outward marks of wealth and culture. The pitiful condition which the Laodiceans have hidden from themselves is often deeply felt by those who have been abused and mistreated in this world. They can hardly lift their eyes to look in the eyes of another, much less pray for healing.
If we saw people as Jesus does, I think that we would be shocked by the miserable lives most people live. Seldom nourished by the Word of God or the gentle touch of others, their spiritual lives are listless and in the quiet moments of the night, they indeed see themselves as miserable, poor, blind and naked. If we have been touched and transformed by the grace of God, then we are called to go forth and be God’s gentle healers of broken people. Would that Laodiceans were as aware of their need and the desperate need of others who are wistfully looking to heaven.