When God created the world, it is clear from the book of Genesis that there was a distinct difference between humanity and the rest of creation. Unlike the plants, seas, mountains, and even animals, God created human beings for the purpose of having a relationship with Him. He even walked and talked among Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where they lived. Still today, He wants to have a relationship with us.
God makes His desire for a relationship with people clear in Revelation 3. In this chapter, John, the author of Revelation, records a vision in which Jesus gives instructions to the church in Laodicea. He said to this church, "I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth" (verse 16). The church in Laodicea that Jesus was addressing in Revelation 3 had a problem with indifference. Jesus told them, “You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked” (verse 17). This church was complacent. The church was not pursuing growth and did not seem to care to change. As a result, Jesus had a message for them. He continued saying in Revelation 3, “I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference” (verse 19). Because Jesus loved the church in Laodicea, he corrected it and challenged it to live differently. Why? He wanted to have a deep relationship with His people in the church in Laodicea.
Jesus wasn’t done speaking to the church in Laodicea. He continued saying, "Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends" (verse 20). Notice the relational terms in this verse. First, Jesus is knocking, actively pursuing a relationship with us. He wants us to open the door and enter into a relationship with Him. Secondly, Jesus uses the imagery of dining with us. Of course, sharing a meal is a highly relational experience. We have the opportunity to grow in our relationships with others and bond as we sit around the table and share meals.
How tender that Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world, wants to have a deep, personal relationship with us. He wants to have a relationship with every single person on this earth, including you. Will you commit to growing in your relationship with Him and making Him known to the people around you?
Make an effort to talk to God throughout your day. Send off short prayers that are a few sentences long to Him throughout your day. Talk to Him about what is on your mind and what is going on in your life throughout your day. He is a relational God who desires a relationship with all people.
1 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars:
“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. 3 Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.
4 “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.
6 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
7 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.
This is the message from the one who is holy and true,
the one who has the key of David.
What he opens, no one can close;
and what he closes, no one can open:
8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.
10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.
13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation:
15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.
20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.
22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
