July 23rd, 2022
by Ivey Rhodes
by Ivey Rhodes
In Hans Christian Andersen's story called "The Emperor Who Had New Clothes," we meet a sovereign that is known for his love of fashion and often spent lavishly on the finest clothing. Because of this, two con artists role into town and they set their eyes on him. These two con men convince the emperor that they can make him beautiful magical clothes that only look invisible to stupid people. The emperor excitedly agrees to buy this unique and exciting outfit.
Sometime later, when the emperor comes to inspect their work, he notices there is nothing on their looms, but he doesn't want to seem stupid, so he doesn't say anything. Eventually, they finish the clothes and then pretend to dress him. Remember, he is completely naked. The emperor admires his new garments and is so proud, that he shows them by parading through the kingdom to an adoring crowd. All of them see him as naked but are too afraid to admit it because he's the king and they don't want people to think they're stupid. Until one young boy exclaims, "The Emperor is naked!" This breaks the ice for the rest of the crowd and all at once, they realize everyone also sees him unclothed. But the Emperor doesn't stop, he marches on just as proudly assuming they're all just simpletons.
Tomorrow we're finishing our series in Revelation by learning about the church in Laodicea: The naked church. Laodicea thought they had it all together. They believed they were wearing the finest clothes and proudly marched around in them. They also assumed Jesus was the most delighted with them. What a shock it must have been to hear Jesus pronounce them as "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked."
The good news is, though Laodicea had a lot of issues, Jesus was patient and kind toward them. He was waiting and wanting them to become the church he made them to be. What we'll see is that even if Jesus' assessment of us is a bit embarrassing, he is just as patient and kind to us. He promises a beautiful future if we will listen to him. Tomorrow is going to help us see ourselves as Jesus does and then respond to his grace.
Sometime later, when the emperor comes to inspect their work, he notices there is nothing on their looms, but he doesn't want to seem stupid, so he doesn't say anything. Eventually, they finish the clothes and then pretend to dress him. Remember, he is completely naked. The emperor admires his new garments and is so proud, that he shows them by parading through the kingdom to an adoring crowd. All of them see him as naked but are too afraid to admit it because he's the king and they don't want people to think they're stupid. Until one young boy exclaims, "The Emperor is naked!" This breaks the ice for the rest of the crowd and all at once, they realize everyone also sees him unclothed. But the Emperor doesn't stop, he marches on just as proudly assuming they're all just simpletons.
Tomorrow we're finishing our series in Revelation by learning about the church in Laodicea: The naked church. Laodicea thought they had it all together. They believed they were wearing the finest clothes and proudly marched around in them. They also assumed Jesus was the most delighted with them. What a shock it must have been to hear Jesus pronounce them as "wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked."
The good news is, though Laodicea had a lot of issues, Jesus was patient and kind toward them. He was waiting and wanting them to become the church he made them to be. What we'll see is that even if Jesus' assessment of us is a bit embarrassing, he is just as patient and kind to us. He promises a beautiful future if we will listen to him. Tomorrow is going to help us see ourselves as Jesus does and then respond to his grace.
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