If we will take the time to look, the cross is a theme that can be found in every passage of the Bible.
“There is one great central truth to be kept ever before the mind in the searching of the Scriptures—Christ and Him crucified. Every other truth is invested with influence and power corresponding to its relation to this theme” (FLB 50).
It is important for us to take the time to look—for we can take up our cross daily and follow the Savior only as we see Him lifted on His cross.
The cross is at the center of the redemptive message that Jesus wrote to the Laodiceans.
And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God (Rev 3:14).
In the introduction to His letter, He introduces Himself as the All in all. As the First Word, He originates and begins all creation. As the Amen, He is the Final Word. As the Witness from beginning to end, He is Every Word between the First and Last Word. Thus Christ knows the Laodiceans much better than they know themselves, and He gives them a work evaluation:
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Rev 3:15,16).
Though He tries to be positive, the only good thing He can to say is that they are honest in their self-deception. What makes them proud makes Him nauseated. To undeceive them, He points them to the cross and reminds them of His prayer for them in His dying agony.
Notice how He does this. He tells them,
“You say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked” (Rev 3:17).
“Do not know” is an echo from the cross. ““Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”” Luke 23:34.
He wants Laodiceans to know that on the cross He was thinking of them. Like the self-righteous Jews, they thought their works were honoring God, they didn’t know that by their works they were crucifying Him afresh and putting Him to open shame. Heb 6:6.
On the cross Jesus was interceding for me and all other Laodiceans. Since we don’t understand our condition, how could we pray as we ought? (Rom 8:26). On the cross, He was giving us a glimpse of his intercession for us in the Most Holy Place. And we can have faith in His prayers on our behalf.
How encouraging, in the heart of the Laodicean message, Christ directs my thoughts to His cross where I see Him suffering for our sins.
“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see” (Rev 3:18).
Jesus has set us an important example. Before He offers to give me council, He has prayed for me. He then comes, not with a harsh condemnation, but an offer that only a fool would turn down—gold, costly raiment, and healing eye salve.
There are various items the Bible tells us to buy. We are to “buy the truth” as well as wisdom, instruction, and understanding (Proverbs 23:23). We are to buy the oil of the Holy Spirit. Others cannot share this with us, we must go “go … to those who sell, and buy” for ourselves” (Mt 25:9). But how can someone who is abjectly poor, purchase gold? or expensive clothing? or high-priced prescription ophthalmic salves?
Isaiah tells us “though you have no money, come, buy grain and eat; come, buy wine and milk, not for money, not for a price” (Isa 55:1). Though we have nothing to repay, we are enabled to buy when we accept four incalculably valuable gifts:
• The gift of Jesus who lived and died for us. John 3:16.
• The gift of faith. Rom 12:3.
• The gift of the Holy Spirit which is the eye salve that enables us to see ourselves as we really are. John 16:8.
• The gift of repentance. Acts 5:31.
Enriched with these gifts we can make the necessary purchase. “We must buy—‘be zealous and repent of our lukewarm state’” (1T 142).
And after we take these gifts and make the purchases our riches will rapidly grow. Peter explains,
“Now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 1:6,7).
We patiently bear the tests and trials of life— our “light afflictions” here on this earth—our faith and love increases and thus our wealth continuously increases. By faith Job said, “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10. Job’s faith in Christ was not misplaced. He did come forth as gold. And so may we.
Furthermore, such trials purify our character. Providing the white garment of Christ’s own righteousness with an exclusive and expensive fabric with a pattern woven in the looms of heaven. And it was the cross that made this garment available to us. Around the cross, the soldiers gambled for Christ’s seamless, white garment—His most valuable earthly possession. But we shouldn’t be willing to gamble for anything so perfect and so precious.
With the eye-salve of the Holy Spirit continuously applied our sight continually improves. We see ourselves as we really are and we ask and receive more of the gift of repentance.
We gain the wealth we need by selling ourselves—all that we are and have—to God. Mt 13:46. We are then His slaves—we have been bought with a price (1Cor 6:20). We are now wealthy, for the price paid for us is exceedingly high. After this transaction we possess the blood of Jesus, which is the medium of exchange allowing us to purchase whatever we need.
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom 8:32).
But listen, did you hear a knock at your door? It may be the Heavenly Merchant with gold, garments, and eye-salve to sell.
You can check to see if He is the genuine or an imposter. The genuine Merchant carries His ID in the palms of His hands and on His forehead. The counterfeit has marks on the forehead and hands, too, but only the genuine has scars there.
Phil Mills, MD, is a graduate of the Loma Linda School of Medicine, and a retired dermatologist. Phil lives in Tennessee, and enjoys writing and theology.