A Glimpse

Laodicea

The city that made Jesus want to throw up. Reading Jesus' words to the church in this city jolts us awake.

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

The teaching pastor on our trip, Dr. Chris Wright, explained Jesus' words; those here received a warning. They were not hot nor were they cold: they were not useful. Jesus needed them to be useful. 

Dr. Wright and our guide, Dilek, also spoke about how personal Jesus' words were. Those who lived in the city of Laodicea considered themselves wealthy and independent, so much so that they refused help from Rome after an earthquake at one point. They told Rome,"We are just fine and we do not need your help! We are rich enough to take care of this." Those who lived and worked in the city were famous for and very proud of their luxurious purple dye, which was more expensive than other colors and more complex to make. They also exported a salve for the eyes, which purportedly had healing properties. It is no mistake that Jesus uses the words "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked." He is speaking to their worldly strengths and their spiritual weaknesses. But in him, they were offered riches; in him, they were covered from shame; in him, their eyes would be truly opened. 

These words hit me squarely on the head. 

I know exactly where I stand on the spectrum too (oh, somewhere along the lines of JUST THE SAME PLACE).

This was the most powerful stop for me. The reminder, yes, the history, yes, and the humbling aspect of looking at what was once a very great place which is now pieces and ruins.

Humbling, indeed.