Revelation two describes Jesus in the midst of seven lamps, which represent the seven churches Jesus was about to address. Church congregations may be distinct with various characteristics, yet altogether one in the blended light emitted from their candles. There is variety, but true unity for those who are born again. F. B. Meyer declared, ”Jesus is in the midst of the collective life of the church while it is on the earth.”

The seven stars in Jesus right hand represent the messengers, or pastors of those individual congregations. The first letter was dictated by Jesus to John and sent to the church in Ephesus. Imagine that pastor sauntering out to the mailbox and staring with heart stopping astonishment, at a letter addressed to him from none other than Jesus Christ.

With trembling hands, he rips open the envelope and begins to read that Jesus has noted his church’s perseverance, endurance, work, and Berean-like quality of discovering false teachers. Yet despite all this, his knees are instantly weakened when he is overcome by an empty feeling of faintness as he is informed, “that you have left your first love (Rev 2:4).” You see, love is the most excellent way, and love is the most powerful motivation to serve our King. Paul declared, “The love of Christ constrains or controls me (2Cor 5:14).”

“Left” means to forsake, to lay aside, or even worse; to send forth. There is no better way to please our Savior than to express our love to Him. The prayer closet is the sacred space God invites us into where it is only you and Him. That’s the place where we become deeply aware of His matchless holiness and our feeble inclinations toward sins which lead to death.

The church in Ephesus was driven by misguided motion, rather than the guidance of the Holy Spirit. A true expression of love for our Savior delights God and moves us to serve greatly with greater passion.

Bowing Down
Pastor Huck