Memory Verse: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20, KJV)
It is easy to see a need when you are hungry. It is much harder when you feel full. Sometimes the most dangerous place to be is the place where you feel you lack nothing.
Laodicea was exactly at this spot. It was one of the wealthiest cities of its day. It was a center for banking, and it was famous for its soft black wool. It also had a well-known medical school, which made a popular ointment for the eyes.
The city was so rich that when a great earthquake struck around AD 60, it refused help from Rome. The people rebuilt everything on their own. They were proud of it.
Laodicea had one weakness, though. It had no good water supply of its own. Water came through pipes from far away. Nearby Hierapolis had hot springs that healed. Nearby Colossae had cold, clear water that refreshed. But by the time the water reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm, and it tasted bad.
The church was shaped by its city. It had grown comfortable and self-sufficient. Jesus said, “Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17).
Do you see how He answered them? The bank, the wool, and the eye ointment were all symbols of their pride. So Jesus offered gold that lasts, clothes that cover, and eyes that truly see. Then He said, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten” (Revelation 3:19). Even this hard word was love.
Greg owned a thriving business. He went to church when his schedule allowed. He gave generously. He believed in God, but he rarely felt he needed Him. Life was running smoothly.
One evening, his teenage daughter asked, “Dad, do you actually pray? Or is church just a habit?”
Greg started to answer, but he stopped. He looked around his comfortable kitchen. Everything he had was good, and he had earned most of it. But he could not remember the last time he had asked God for anything.
For the first time in years, he felt a strange emptiness. He was not in trouble. He was just not close to Jesus.
Greg was Laodicea. He had everything and felt he needed nothing.
Looking Inwards
First, comfort can blind us. The Bible warns that too much can be as risky as too little. “Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD?” (Proverbs 30:9). When life is easy, we can slowly stop depending on God. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Those who know their need are closest to Him.
Second, His rebuke is love, and His offer is free. Lukewarm means neither healing nor refreshing. It means we are of little use. Jesus does not say this to shame us. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:6). Then He invites us to buy from Him. Yet we have nothing to pay with. This echoes an old promise: “he that hath no money; come ye, buy… without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1). All He asks is that we come.
Third, He is still knocking. Notice that Jesus is outside the door. A church that thought it had everything had left Him standing outside. Yet He does not break in. He knocks and waits. He wants a meal, not a visit. Eating together meant friendship. He said later, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). And to those who overcome, He promises a seat with Him on His throne (Revelation 3:21).
Reflection Questions
- In what area of life do you feel you need nothing from God?
- What might Jesus want you to see that you have missed?
- What would it look like to open the door today?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I admit I have often felt self-sufficient. Forgive me. Open my eyes to see my real need. I come to You with empty hands. Come in, and eat with me. Make my heart warm again. Amen.
Closing Thought
Laodicea had everything but Jesus. Yet He did not leave. He stood at the door and knocked. He is still knocking today.
Leave a Reply