He diagnoses their problem quickly. He says they are somewhere between really hot and really cold. And what is it that has put them in this lukewarm condition? He says it's because they say they "have need of nothing". (verse 17)
So this is the question. Is there any area of my life in which I am saying that I'm not needy when the reality is different? Or perhaps another way to ask the question is this: is there truly any area of my life that I can claim I am self-sufficient? I believe the Lord is teaching us that the only sufficiency for all believers is sufficiency In Him.
Is there anything in my life in which I am in the self-sufficient room? Could I possibly be in the room across the hall, the pride room, where I say "I'm not like her; I'm not like him; I'm not like them"? Jesus says: “don't you know… you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked?” Those are strong and stark words for someone who is claiming to not be needy.
What is the invitation? The invitation is to humbly enter the needy room. Once I enter and embrace my lack, my need, and my want of strength, I can listen and he will be knocking. I open the door by faith and he comes in. And my friend, everywhere our Savior enters into ….”The Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2)
Our ministry is about leading people into the Needy Room. It's about overcoming the barriers that keep us from receiving from the Lord. Jesus said in John 15:5 “ I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
We can do nothing without our Lord and yet everything with Him. (Phillipians 4:13) Won’t you join me in the Needy Room? It is a place where our sufficiency is only in Him. It’s a place of peace and a place where we can give all our burdens to Him. Remember Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
There is a place of rest and healing and peace.
-Mark
