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The last of the 7 letters in Revelation 2 & 3 is probably the most well-known of the letters. It is also the only letter that is, at least on the surface, entirely negative. However, the negativity is disciplinary. Jesus does not beat around the bush in this letter because He wants the church in Laodicea to change.
The people of Laodicea were generally wealthy. It was an ideal location for banks. They were also healthy. There was a large medical center just outside of the city, a medical school in the city, and many medicinal springs in the area. They were also popular for their Phrygian powder, which was used to make medicines, like eye-salve (mentioned in this letter). They were also well-dressed. Black sheep’s wool was rare and, therefore, expensive. However, the people of Laodicea owned a large amount of black wool, as black sheep were not as rare in Laodicea. All in all, the people of this city were viewed as being well off.
Though they were doing well from a physical standpoint, Jesus is not happy with them spiritually. He says, beginning in Rev. 3:15, that they are neither cold nor hot. Because they are lukewarm, Jesus says, “I will spit/vomit you out of my mouth” (v.16). The visual, that Jesus is so disgusted with someone that he would spit them out like bad food or spoiled milk, is a strong, eye-opening one. Why was he so disgusted with being lukewarm? Think of Pilate, the man who no doubt believed in Jesus, but cared too much about his own power and what other people thought of him to release the innocent Jesus. Jesus clearly has a great disdain for the attitude of being lukewarm.
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So, how does Jesus proceed in this letter? Does he write the Christians in Laodicea off as being evil and unreachable? Does he continue to tear into them for all of the self-centeredness? No, he instead contrasts what they think they are, what they are, and what they can be. Verses 17-18: “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” The Laodiceans were poor, but Jesus was offering them gold refined by fire. They were naked, but Jesus would clothe them in righteousness. They were blind with their spiritual condition, but Jesus was willing to open their eyes.
Jesus is brutally honest in this letter, but he is harsh so that they might repent. In verse 19, he tells them he disciplines and reproves the ones he loves. He desires for them to repent and follow Him rather than themselves. He then tells the people, “Behold I stand at the door knocking…” Jesus desires for the Laodiceans and he desires for people today to let him in. No one is unreachable by Jesus, but we must open the door. He’s waiting patiently for all men to come to him. Jesus offers not only what’s mentioned in verse 18, but also to be seated eternally on God’s throne with him (v.21). The state of being lukewarm is deadly, but it can be overcome. He stands at the door knocking. Will you let him in?
~ Jared McLeod
