Walking With Christ

Revelation 3:15-16 (15) “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! (16)So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.(ESV)

Laodicea was a major economic hub when Revelation was written. It was one of the wealthiest cities at the time because it was a banking center that was at a vital place on the path east. They had everything that a rich socio-economic center could want. Well, except for one thing.

The city was able to provide for itself everything it needed except for water. The local water was luke warm and had a truly foul taste that made it undrinkable. The city was forced to buy water from other cities in the area. There was only two options. Hierapolis was known for the hot springs that had health benefits. Colossae was fed by a huge source of water from the mountains that was ice cold and refreshing.

Water is life. Jesus is the living water. What this verse is saying is that this city could provide so much for itself that it had become proud, yet it could not provide what it needed for life. Without water to sustain it the city would die. Spiritually, without the living water of Jesus we will die.