WAS LAODICEA WOKE?
Laodicea was a wealthy city, and some of the people of our church were very rich. We sometimes equated wealth to goodness. We must have been very good people who God loved very much because we were very rich. We were very wrong.
In our message, Jesus cautions us that our physical wealth is worth nothing since we are in spiritual poverty. He warns us to acquire spiritual wealth by accepting his discipline and repenting of our actions. If we do so, he will give us the right to sit with him on this throne.
Jesus starts his letter to us by referring to the two sources of water supply for our city. Laodicea had no big natural fresh water springs. It got water from the northwest from the area known as Hierapolis. This area had hot mineral water springs, and hot mineral water baths were the hit of the area.
The other source of water was from Colossae, in the opposite direction. It had a cold, fresh water spring. This water was remarkably refreshing to drink.
The trouble was, by the time the hot mineral water got to Laodicea, it was no longer hot. By the time the water from Colossae got to Laodicea, it was no longer cold. We were inundated with lukewarm water that always made us want to gag.
When Jesus said the following we knew exactly what he was talking about. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot: I wish you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth.”
In more modern terms, you are good for something or you are good for nothing. The Bible tells us of the many ways we can be good for something in the name of Jesus. However, if we choose to be good for nothing, Jesus will vomit us out of his mouth. Is there anything scarier than that?
Fortunately, Jesus gave us an incredible alternative. This was his parting message to us, and it applies to you, too. “Those whom I love, I correct and discipline, so be zealous, and repent.”
You’ve heard the scariest verse in the Bible to me. Now, want to hear one of the most peaceful verses in the Bible?... What happens if we are zealous and repent? Jesus says, “I will come in, and we will eat together.”
Narrators | Dr. Stephen Phinney & EyeWitness Bible
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