This week, we heard the good news preached from Revelation chapter 2 that Jesus both encourages and confronts us in perfectly healthy and loving ways.
To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary (verses 1-3).
It’s overwhelmingly encouraging to remember that Jesus wrote us this letter as our resurrected king. He took on human flesh and knows our struggles from the inside out. He writes to say that his loving concern and intimate understanding extend to all the situations of our lives.
What are the things in your life that feel like a struggle right now?
What are some things that you’ve been working hard at and patiently bringing to Jesus in prayer?
How do you feel when you hear Jesus saying that he sees you and is right there with you in the middle of your struggle and your work?
Especially for children: What would you like to ask Jesus to help you with that is coming up today or this week?
Pray: Thank you, Jesus, for your strong assurance that you see everything we do. Thank you that you know our inner struggles when we are working hard to figure out how to live with you in mind in the challenging parts of our lives. Thank you for refreshing and encouraging us in this letter. Jesus, please give us strength to keep pursuing your glory through the work you have called us to and the relationships you have given us.
In this same letter, Jesus confronts us about one of the most basic struggles that God’s people have: We so easily forget our first love.
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent (verses 4-5)
In all his dealings with us, Jesus puts empathy before evaluation. He knows everything about us and cares about our work and our relationships. Our failures to love are not a barrier to Jesus. It is these points of need where Jesus comes close to lovingly confront us and lead us to repentance.
As you think back on your conversations over the past week, can you identify ways you have approached someone with your agenda in the front of your mind instead of actually caring about and intending to listen to the person in front of you?
Can you name some of the goals that God’s people tend to get distracted by and that can easily become priorities that compete with Love and growing in Christ-likeness?
Especially for children: Ask your mom or dad to tell you about how they first came to understand that Jesus loved them and that He is the Savior they need.
Pray: Lord Jesus, please warm and kindle the affection of our hearts toward you, who loved us when we were cold, rebellious and without a chance of ever belonging anywhere. Help us remember what it felt like when we first realized that your embrace meant that we had been swept up into hope that would not fail. Help us believe anew the unbelievable: that you set your love on us, came to us, and through your death and resurrection gave us exactly the salvation that we needed but couldn’t have even asked for.
We began this week confessing together where our rebellion has looked like disordered loves:
We were built for a life of loving you, loving others, and loving the place you put us. But we determined life was about serving self. We spend much of our days pursuing comfort. Instead of loving others, we fearfully manage life around protecting our reputation. We prefer complacency over honest struggling with sin and brokenness.
What parts of this confession touch your heart and show where you need Jesus more and more?
How does this confession remind you that Jesus is enough and that He is the one who is making you able to follow him?
Especially for children: What is one way that you see Jesus making you better as you put your trust in him?
Pray: Show us afresh the one who loved us and gave himself for us. Jesus, you endured to the cross and entered the cold, dark grave for us. You were willing to be cursed for us. You were raised from the dead to free us. Holy Spirit, remind us of simple, unconditional, never-ending, always and forever love. In every way, make us more like Jesus. All is grace. Amen.
Next week we will continue reading and thinking about the book of Revelation, remembering that God always finishes what he started. Finish this time of reflection by prayerfully reading over the following verses, asking that Jesus will be glorified as his people hear and live according to his word:
And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.“‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death (Revelation 2:8-11).