Starting the workday with a hot cup of perfectly brewed coffee flavored with cream tends to get my mind energized for the day’s tasks. So often, however, in the business of the day, I forget my coffee only to come back much later for a lukewarm sip! Not at all as good as a fresh hot cup, and to some not as good as an iced coffee. In either case, lukewarm is not so good.

Jesus describes the condition of seven churches in the book of Revelation. For most of them He offered praise, along with some issues to work on. For the church of Laodicea, there was not a compliment given.

Jesus shares his assessment of them, saying “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.’” (Revelation 3:15-16)

Jesus informed them their spiritual condition was nauseating. They were neither hot nor cold but lukewarm, and sadly, the Laodicean church was completely unaware of their spiritual status.

Along with two other cities, Laodicea was located in the Lycus Valley. A wealthy commercial center, Laodicea was known for banking, manufacturing clothing and its famous medical school, specializing in eye ointments. Of special note is the devastating earthquake that destroyed Laodicea in AD 60. However, the city rose from the ruins, rebuilding without help and using its own resources. Both the city and the church were sufficient in themselves, asking help from no one, including God. The citizens were completely fine by themselves, and the church was greatly deceived.

The greatest weakness of the city was the absence of good water. Aqueducts were built to supply water from Hierapolis and Colossae, the other cities in the Lycus Valley. Hierapolis was known for its hot, medicinal waters and Colossae for its cold and pure, refreshing waters. While a supply from both cities arrived in Laodicea, by the time it arrived from either place, the water was lukewarm. The tepid water often made visitors sick enough to vomit. As the water was nauseating to the people, so the established church in Laodicea made Jesus sick.

As Jesus calls the church to be either hot or cold, He is not asking them to choose to be either on fire for Him or to oppose Him. The hot waters from Hierapolis brought healing and the cold waters from Colossae refreshed. The Laodicean church did not provide healing for

the spiritually sick or refreshment for the spiritually thirsty. They were just plain warm, and Jesus would not tolerate it. In His love, He criticized them to bring this church back to relying solely on Him.

The message of Jesus was not without hope. While they lost sight of their need for God, He offers the promise of healing to all who choose to repent and rely completely in Him. Offering them waters of spiritual healing and refreshment, He made a way to bring them back into a right relationship with Him. He stands at the door of their hearts offering forgiveness, love, and grace.

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:19-20)

We are no different from the members of the Laodicean church. We also are prone to lose sight of God. We fail to see ourselves as we really are. We let our relationship with God slip away. We are indifferent and sometimes ignorant about where we are spiritually. As we fail to look into our own hearts to see where we are with God, we slip further away from Him. We become lukewarm.

Jesus knows the thoughts and intent of our hearts. Seeing us slip away, He lovingly reproves, He graciously disciplines, He offers forgiveness. He knocks on the door of our hearts desiring to be invited back in.

Jesus is knocking. Where are you with Him today? Are you allowing Him to use you to minister healing? Have you provided words that refresh and point others back to Jesus? Or have you found you are trying to do life on your own? Are you relying more on yourself, forgetting your need for God? He is knocking. He does not desire to spit you out, but instead He offers you refreshment and healing for your soul. You just need to let Him in.