Laodicea is a great place to visit. Back in 2001, we visited the ancient ruins along with the city of Hierapolis and the mound of dirt over the ancient city of Colosse. Colosse has a cool water stream, while Hierapolis has hot springs. Laodicea had neither. By the time the water reached the city from either direction, it was lukewarm, insipid, and undrinkable.
Starting with Ephesus, Jesus addressed a letter to churches in seven cities. Laodicea is last. Like the water supply, the church in Laodicea was neither hot nor cold. Jesus, the Amen, faithful and true Witness, and Ruler of God’s creation prepared to spew the church out of his mouth. What was wrong with the church there? They were self-sufficient. Legends in their own minds, the believers in Laodicea figured they could buy their way out of any problem. Jesus saw them differently. They were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Only Jesus could save them. He loved them too much to leave them as they were.
Can we believe Jesus was still knocking at their door, offering fellowship with the Laodicean church? Can we believe he is still talking to us? Each of the seven letters informs our own need for revival. One of the challenges of the modern church in the West is a deep sense of self-sufficiency. Where Christians are persecuted, they know they need help. In humility, we may come to the place where we repent of our self-reliance and receive God’s healing power. The good news is Jesus wants to help the church. He loves us too much to leave us the way we are. Will we cry out to him for help today? Laodicea is a great place to visit. But we wouldn’t want to live there.
