1. Context
(BKC)
I. Introduction: “What You Have Seen” (chap. 1)
II. Letters to the Seven Churches: “What Is Now” (chaps. 2–3)
The letter to the church in Laodicea (3:14–22)
The wealthy city of Laodicea was located on the road to Colosse about 40 miles southeast of Philadelphia. About 35 years before this letter was written, Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake, but it had the wealth and ability to rebuild. Its main industry was wool cloth.
2. Content
v.14 The Sovereign Lord of the church spoke to the church in Laodicea. What He said is true, including the following rebuke.
v.15-17 Rebuke
....you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm...I am going to vomit you... Because you say...I need nothing, but do not realize that you are...
Jesus has an expectation for His church. If they failed to meet that there will be consequence. To those who were too blind to see their problem, Jesus was going to let them know.
v.18-20 exhortation
take my advice and buy gold from me..so you can become rich. Buy from me...so you can be clothed...buy eye salve...so you can see...So be earnest and repent! Listen! I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home
The exhortations are to take Jesus' advice. Unlike what they said they need nothing, they actually needed wealth, clothes, and medicine from Jesus. Be intensely serious about this, be eager, and repent. Those who repent were those who admitted that blindness. Jesus' advice are like the knocking from inside. Whether we want to wake up from our spiritual sleep depends on us. If we want to be serious about this and repent we opens the door.
v.21-22 promise
I will grant the one who conquers permission to sit with me on my throne...
To those who repent and enjoy this fellowship with Jesus He granted them a permission to sit with Him on His throne. Glory will be given depends on your intimate relationship with Jesus.
3. Summary and reflection
Jesus rebuked the church based on His expectation. Rebuke is needed especially to those who are too bind to see. However, He did not just rebuke, but He also exhorted. Repentance comes when the person take the advice of Jesus, and start to see the problem, get serious about the issue, and change. Jesus has already knocked, we need to respond. Promise of glorify is waiting for us if we change and get close fellowship with Jesus.
What will be Jesus' rebuke and expectation to me? What is my blind spot? What will be His exhortation to me?
How am I doing in rebuking other? Do I base on my own expectation or base on Jesus' expectation? If it is their blind spot then how will they listen to my advice? To those who do not take advice, how can I bear with them?
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