John continues to capture the message of Jesus to His churches, listed in order of travel clockwise from Ephesus, and here we have the final three. Each needs to be read in the light of the local context of the church. Smyrna has twice in in its previous history been destroyed as a result of watchmen failing to recognise the advance of invaders; the name Smyrna means ‘myrrh’ an anointing spice used at burials. The call to ‘wake up’ and rise from the ‘dead’ therefore would have added resonance to those who heard these words for the first time.

Laodicea is located in the Lycus Valley. Nearby were cold water springs which were good for drinking, but also hot springs which had healing properties. However, the water at Laodicea itself was lukewarm – fit for neither purpose. So, when Jesus says: ‘you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot’, the people would know exactly what Jesus was getting at!  Additionally, after an earthquake in AD60 the city had declined external aid, instead choosing to rely on its own self-sufficiency. Therefore, when Jesus says: ‘you say, I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing’, they would be able to clearly see themselves in the story, giving added zest to the call of Jesus to renew their dependence upon Him.

What would the Spirit say to the church in Ashill and the church in Swaffham today? What is in our history, our DNA, that He would want to be calling forth? What are the encouragements or comforting words that He is speaking over us? What are the challenges? Where would He lovingly correct us? What would He want to call us into?  ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says’. Let the leadership know if you sense anything noteworthy that should be passed on. As the writer to Hebrews (10:24) says: ‘Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds’.

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Thought:

Let’s make it personal. The image of Jesus standing at the door and knocking inspired Holman Hunt’s painting ‘The Light of the World’. It’s powerful. Imagine Jesus standing at your front door. He knocks. You open the door. What does He say to you? How do you respond?