Willamette National Forest, OR
Revelation 3:15-16 CSB
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth.
I often hear people say, “Wait five minutes….the weather will change.” Here on the high desert, one morning this week it was 35 degrees and now three days later it is 103 degrees! Hot or cold, people enjoy and complain about them both. If our expectation is hot coffee and it’s lukewarm….gross! If we are looking forward to cold glass of ice water and it’s lukewarm… yuck! This is a bit like how Jesus felt about the church in Laodicea. They were fat cats resting comfortably and coasting through Christian motions, secure in their self-importance, but Jesus wanted fire or ice! To get His point across, He used examples the Laodiceans would understand. On one side was Colossae with access to cold mountain water….mmmmm refreshing! On the other side was Hierapolis with hot springs…ahhhh soothing. But Laodicea? They had an aqueduct until it was destroyed by an earthquake. The springs and streams were so heavily mineralized that water was basically undrinkable. So no matter how they accessed water, it was tepid, sediment filled, and unpalatable….ummm disgusting! When John delivers Jesus’ message, it is telling the Laodiceans to re-engage, get moving, get serving, stop living in earthly ease and comfort, and fulfill their purpose – Be His Church and refresh people, sooth people, care for people. Who are you? Are you soothing hot, refreshing cold, or gruesome lukewarm?
