BACKGROUND
Founded by Antiochus II around 250 B.C., Laodicea was a ‘knot on the road system.’ The road from Ephesus to Syria was the most economically and politically important road in ancient Asia, and it happened to pass directly through Laodicea. The city itself sat between two streams atop a plateau about a half-mile square and a few hundred feet above the plain in the fertile Lycus Valley. It was, according to commentatory Grant Osborne, “the more important member of a tri-city formation with Hierapolis six miles north and Colosse ten miles east.”[1]
Because of its location, Laodicea could post that it was the most independent city of the seven letters. As a portal for trade between multiple regions and empires, banking flourished in the city. Because of the richly watered valley, so did agriculture and farming, which contributed to the rise of a particular wool industry. Laodicea was known for the raven-black wool said to have been cultivated through breeding and the minerals of the area’s water supply. The uniqueness of this wool, coupled with the city's cosmopolitan feel, encouraged Laodicea’s clothing and fashion industry to thrive. In addition to banking, textiles, and fashion, Laodicea prospered in medical compounds. The city became known throughout the ancient world for “Phrygian powder,” which was used as an eye salve and exported across the roadways in every direction.
The general prosperity of the city was evidenced most clearly in the aftermath of a massive earthquake in A.D. 60. Like Sardis and Philadelphia, Laodicea was severely crippled by a substantial earthquake, but unlike those other cities, Laodicea did not need (actually refused) aid from the Roman Emporer to rebuild. The wealth of the city showed through in their resurrection, reproducing not only what was lost but establishing an even grander city in its second life.
And yet, for all its independence, Laodicea was dependent on somewhere else for its most important resource: water. The city depended on the water supply from Denizli and the six miles of aqueducts, which pushed the source of life into the city. The water supply issue left the independent city vulnerable to weather and enemies and so ever adept at political acquiescence.
While the city was built between two streams, it was not founded at a freshwater source. Across the stream and valley floor to the north, rose the 300-foot tall white cliffs of Hierapolis. Formed by calcified overflow from the hot water springs atop their rims, these cliffs beckoned to the sick and ill and those longing for health to come and bathe in their mineral waters. A few miles to the east, the cold water springs of Colosse beckoned all travelers to rest and be refreshed in the clear and nutrient source before setting out on the road once more. Laodicea sat in-between, and the cities natural water supply was neither hot nor cold but lukewarm, tepid. It was, in fact, the overflow of the healing waters of Hierapolis that had cooled enough to drink but still contained the minerals that, without heat, only produced a bitter taste and a nauseous stomach. Any person who happened to taste a mouthful would immediately spit it out, for it was good for neither healing nor nourishment. Their water could not sustain life, and that made them are dependent city despite all the external evidence of their prosperous independence.
PREPARATION
IMPORTANT: Try to make sure you have at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted time for this practice. Be realistic and honest about how much space and stamina you have for the quiet components. Some of us will welcome stillness and silence, but most of us will likely struggle to get through even 3-5 minutes of silence—and that is okay! Arrange whatever time you think reasonable (suggested times are provided), and set a timer; it helps. Get into a comfortable position but not too comfortable, so you don’t fall asleep.
PRACTICE
READ Revelation 3:14-22 slowly. If possible, read it aloud.
Now that you are familiar with the context and words, close your eyes and take three deep breaths. As you breathe in, pray “Holy Spirit… and as you breathe out, pray, “…Give me ears to hear.” Ask God to give you an openness to hear whatever the Spirit wishes to bring to you today. If (when!) your thoughts wander in the stillness, breathe the centering prayer to quiet your mind. Focus on your breaths as you envision breathing in God’s presence.
Now, reread the passage slowly, envisioning Jesus as “the Amen,” the ‘So Be It,’ of God’s person and purposes in history, including yours. Jesus as the faithful and true witness to who God says you, and your neighbor, are. Picture Jesus as the beginning of God’s creation and its re-creation. Imagine Jesus crafting your life through a relationship with him, as he “stands at the door” knocking, waiting to share his life with you, over dinner! As you read and imagine[2]
Listen for a word or phrase, encouragement, admonishment, promise, etc., that stands out. Don’t choose this yourself; let the Spirit bring it to your mind. Even if you don’t like it, try to welcome it with humility (it’s key!) and see what happens.
Consider how you relate to the people and place of Laodicea. How are their issues, your issue, or our faith family’s issue? How is their life of faith similar to yours and ours? How is it different?
Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder the questions and listen quietly.
REFLECT Reread the letter to Laodicea slowly.
As you reflect the words of Jesus to this faith family, consider the following:
The word or phrase or detail that stood out to you. Why do you think these words resonated with you?
The promises in verses 20-21. In what ways might the promises of Jesus sharing his life with us (“eating with him and he with me”) and Jesus sharing his honor and responsibility with us (“sit with me on my throne”) have motivated the Laodicean faith family to “be zealous and repent”? How might the promises encourage you or us to do the same?
The issue and advice in verse 17-18. Why were the Laodiceans blinded to the reality of their situation and ignorant of what Jesus counsels? How are you/we?
Give yourself 3-5 minutes to ponder all this. Then, ask God, “How do you want me to ‘keep what is written?”
RESPOND Read Revelation 3:14-22 one last time.
Prepare yourself for what you want to say to God about what you think the Spirit might have spoken to you or what came to you as you found yourself in the letter from Jesus to the faith family of Smyrna.
Pray whatever you need to pray. You might thank God for something or confess to God something or ask God for something.
Give yourself 2-3 minutes to respond.
REST Do as you are led for the last 5 minutes.
You may wish to wait quietly on God—to simply be with Jesus, who speaks directly and pastorally to his sheep. You may want to pay attention to Jesus, pondering: what Jesus does in this particular prophetic utterance or what he describes his people doing, or what about Jesus makes you marvel, or least want to be with him? Sit in the companionship of God—who reproves and disciplines those whom he already loves and in whom he already takes delight.
CONCLUSION
Having fed on the word through this practice, give it time to digest. In a day or two, come back to your thoughts and observations about yourself, the church, and our church; praying these back to God and asking for clarity, encouragement, and courage to respond to Him. Consider sharing these with your Gospel Community, DNA, or another “sibling and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance which are in Jesus” (Rev. 1:9). Maybe even repeat the practice once more!
[1] Grant Osborne, Revelation, 201.
[2] Revelation requires us to exercise our imagination. If the use of imagination in faith and life with Jesus is new to you, take a minute to read pages 18-19 of this resource.