Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says:

“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.

“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.

“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!

“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!

“Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.” (Revelation 3:14-22)

Jesus’ words can change your life. Laodicea was a prosperous commercial city in northwest Asia Minor, not too far from the city of Colossae. Its church had pushed Jesus away. They had allowed the deceitfulness of riches to make them forget the Lord they loved.

But Jesus told them it is easy to let him back into their lives. In fact, he told the Christians in Laodicea that he was just outside their door, knocking, waiting for them to let him return. When I was in Sunday School class as a child, I remember staring at a painting of Jesus standing beside a door, knocking, waiting to be let in. My Sunday School teacher used that picture and Jesus’ words to the Laodicean Christians to convince me to become a Christian.

Jesus’ words can be effective, even when we misapply them. God does not wait for us to understand clearly before he changes us forever. Whether we’re a Christian or not, Jesus is waiting for us to let him come in.

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