This may be the most well known of the Seven Letters, with the notion of being “lukewarm” one of the most memorable of the concepts within, as well as Jesus standing at the door vs knocking.
Jesus introduces himself as the “true witness” which is key, because his witness will contradict that of the Laodiceans. He is the “beginning of creation” – not the just created being, but the source, the font, of all creation.
Laodicea was a town at a crossroads, established by Antiochus II and named for his wife. It was known for banking, for medical supplies (“Phrygian powder”, used for the eyes) and its textiles (a special black wool). It was a wealthy city, and when an earthquake damaged the town, it rejected aid from Rome, preferring to rebuild on its own.
Laodicea was also known for its hot springs, which might be what sparks the discussion of water temperature in this letter. It was near both Hierapolis and Colossae, and was mentioned directly in the Epistle to the Colossians, along with a member of the church, Nympha.
Jesus answers three questions that we might ask in this text. First, what makes Jesus sick?
The answer is lukewarm churches. Coffee can be good hot or iced, but nobody likes it lukewarm. Keeping something room temperature takes no effort, only letting entropy take its course. It is the perfect, easy Christian life – just sit back and rely on grace.
What made them lukewarm? He goes on, presenting the witness of the Laodiceans church. They saw themselves as being much like the city they lived in – wealthy and self-sufficient. But Jesus sees them as exactly the opposite: poor, blind and naked.
What they have is not what they need. What they need is what Jesus offers: gold refined by fire, which Peter elsewhere uses as a metaphor for faith, white clothes, meaning the new life in that faith, and salve for the eyes – the new view of themselves and others offered by Christ. Note that each of these mirrors things that Laodicea was known for: gold, textiles and eye salve.
Then we get to Jesus response to this utter disaster of a church. He wants in. He wants to not just enter in, but to eat a meal with us. The sharing of a meal held much deeper significance in this era than it does now, and the Lord’s Supper is a picture and implementation of that.
So what makes Jesus sick? We can. What makes
The letter ends by describing what happens to those who conquer – but any conquering we do is within and a piece of what Jesus did in order to conquer: namely, die and rise again. And as that conquering is a piece of Jesus’, so to is the reward, as we will reign with Him on His throne. All we do is preparing for that promotion.
Church transformation begins within each of us. Jesus’ words shift very quickly from the corporate criticism to personal salvation, coming directly into the hearts of those in the church who are willing to get off the lukewarm couch and open the door.
– Sermon Notes, Mahlon Friesen, Seed Church, Lynnwood, WA, July 14, 2019