Opening Prayer
God, give us ears to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Amen. (Rev 3:22)
Text: Revelation 3:14-22
“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked – I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore 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 dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”‘”
Devotion
What a serious speech! Let us all take it to heart! They are Jesus’ words, written so that we also should hear them. Many deceive themselves with a “dead” Christianity. They don’t recognize their sin and don’t look for grace. They don’t want to deny themselves, but live in pleasure, greed, hatred, anger, pride, lying, or other sins. They comfort themselves with Christ, although they despise and mock Him in His saints and tread His blood under foot. “O you blind, deceived, and false Christians! God’s Word never taught you that you could be saved in this way. Never has any prophet or Apostle preached like that. No, they preach like this: If you want to receive forgiveness of your sin, you must repent, turn away from sin, hate it, and believe in Christ, your only Savior and Redeemer” (Johann Arndt). – Others began to repent, but followed Demas (2Ti 4:10). Perhaps they have an appearance of the fear of God, deal with the saints, “and have a name that they are alive, – but they are dead” (Rev 3:1).
Before the Lord there is nothing more horrible than the lukewarmness He reprimands among the Laodiceans. “He who is the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness” – so He calls Himself here to wake us up, – He knows your works and would rather have you be cold than lukewarm. Listen then, wake up, and know yourself! He doesn’t want to spew the poor out of His mouth, not those who feel their sin and are troubled by their need, but those who are satisfied with themselves, who are rich and fat. When we no longer pray: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”, when we no longer feel the need to put on Christ, no longer desire to “see the goodness of the Lord and to praise Him in His temple,” no longer have joy over being “wrapped in the robe of righteousness,” no longer care about confessing the Lord and serving the brethren, then there is lukewarmness that leads to damnation. Deplorable self-satisfaction! For Jesus’ sake wake up from your sleep! He admonishes you with the Word and disciplines you with tribulations, because He loves you. He knocks because He wants to have supper with you! Will you force Him to reject you? Should your place with Him be given to someone else? Still you can “conquer” and then you shall “sit with Him on His throne.” Take note of this: you shall conquer and sit with Him on His throne, “just as He has conquered and sits with His Father on His throne.” He still holds you in His heart, – will He have to “spew you out,” that is, reject and condemn you with His word of judgment? He still loves you, there still is time! Answer Him, enter your room, and pray sincerely:
Closing Prayer
Lord, wake me up, and make me alive, and sustain me. Yes, Lord Jesus, if You can still save me, if You want to have mercy on me, then I pray you heartily for it. “Now I want to be, O Jesus dear, where You would have me. I hold You in my heart and mind, O Lord of mine, with all Your grace and gifts.” O faithful Savior, let us be together. I cannot manage without You, I must not lose You! Rebuke me, but do not cast me away. Save, O save Your dearly-bought possession. Amen.
Hymn
I come to Thee with sin and grief,
For Thou alone canst give relief.
Thy death for me, dear Lord, I plead:
O Jesus, help me in my need!
O Jesus, Lamb of God, alone
Thou didst for all our sins atone;
Though I have sinned and gone astray,
Turn not, O Lord, Thy guest away.
O Jesus, Lamb of God, alone
Thou didst for all our sins atone;
Be merciful, I Thee implore,
Be merciful forevermore.
Landstad: I come to Thee, O blessed Lord L 54:2.4.5 ELH 495:2.4.5 tr. C. Døving;
tune: Wenn wir in höchsten