Revelation – Jesus is Coming Back!
I’m already giggling about my mom’s frustration when I didn’t obey. Shocker, I was not the perfect child, but I did try to be compliant…especially when mom raised her voice with, “LOOK AT ME when I’m talking to you.” (My head was usually hung in shame when reprimanded and waiting for punishment.) This demand was usually followed by, “DON’T LOOK AT ME that way!” What?!
The last time I remember her doing this, I could see a slight curve of her mouth, about to smile, because I was looking at the contortions of her face as any child would. She immediately saw the folly in her turnaround scolding method and wanted to laugh, but not before she was finished with the scolding.
Jesus has a clear and concise message of scolding to Laodicea (and many churches today with the dreaded disease of complacency.) “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot–far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit.” Yikes!
Evangelist Tony Campolo once said, “The world is so complacent that we don’t even sin with passion. We are so lukewarm as a church we are not letting anyone see Christ in us.” “LOOK AT ME!”, Jesus tells the church. “I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me and call my name, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you.” WOW, let that sink in! And OPEN the door! Look at Him. Jesus will show up!
One last story…(I know)…A little boy was sick at home with the flu and didn’t get to go to church that morning with his brothers. When they came home, they were shouting and laughing with palm branches. When the little boy asked what happened, they said, “It was so fun! We got to wave branches and sing praises to Jesus!” The little boy’s face fell in a frown and replied, “The one time I don’t get to go to church and Jesus shows up!”
Does Jesus show up in our homes, work, churches…in our very day to day living hour by hour? He will…if we open the door. AND, He will provide all we need for the journey here.
LOOK AT ME! –Jesus
Revelation 3, The Message
To Laodicea
14 Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says:
15-17 “I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.18 “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.
19 “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
20-21 “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!
22 “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all you have done, are doing and will do in our lives. Thank you, Jesus for “showing up” as we open the door wide open to expose every detail of our lives. We invite you to come in, lead the conversation and guide us today in all you invite us to be and do.
In Your Name, we pray and then listen, Amen.
