Lenten Reflection #7: Jesus Sickened

Lenten Reflection #7: Jesus Sickened

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15–16, HCSB)

I have been sick for the past week with a cold. I wondered if Jesus ever was sick when He was on Earth. It seems that the only place where it shows Jesus sickened is when He talks to His followers in the letters to the churches in Revelation. He compares our works to water. He says that they are neither cold or hot. Hot water is used to soothe pain and to clean the body. Cold water provides relief. In Matthew 10, Jesus says that if you give a cup of cold water, you are showing His love.

“And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple —I assure you: He will never lose his reward!”” (Matthew 10:42, HCSB)

So hot water cleans and provides relief. Cold water provides refreshment. They both serve a purpose. The point of lukewarm water is that it does not serve a purpose. It is of no use. What makes Jesus sick is when His people are useless – when we take the free Good News of Jesus and not put it to good use. The Good News should lead to good works. A Christian who doesn’t serve makes Jesus sick.