It’s that time of year! For weeks already the mass marketing machine has been revved up and put in high gear. This year, we’re being told, consumers are going to show once again “their confidence” and turn it around. Two too many Christmases of holding back. Here in the States it “officially” kicks off on the day after Thanksgiving . . . Black Friday . . . black referring to the profits that start flowing into stores and cyber-sites. “Shop, shop, and then shop some more,” is the message. “Time to get those hot deals while the getting’s good,” bombards my e-mail inbox. “Buy!” is the rallying cry . . . and this, from Jesus too . . . but for a different reason . . .

“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” (Rev. 3:18 ESV)

How’s that for a Christmas shopping list . . . gold refined by fire . . . white garments . . . anointing salve for the eyes? The benefits? So that I’ll be rich . . . and I’ll be clothed . . . and I will see clearly. And it’s not shopping I can do for someone else . . . nope, it’s stuff I can only buy for me. Where can I get this stuff . . . only one vendor . . . only one outlet . . . “Buy from me,” says Jesus. Mmmm . . .

I don’t know how you read the latter portion of Revelation 3 without pausing and doing some measure of self-assessment. The one thing that’s always “frightens me” about Jesus’ letter to the church of the Laodiceans is that if I read it and think it’s not about me, that, in and of itself, may be an indicator that it’s all about me . . . “For you say, ‘I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing,’ not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” (3:17) It’s the Laodicea paradox . . . the fact that you don’t think these words are for you may be the very thing that says Jesus so wants to speak them to you.

And He so wants to speak to those who don’t think He has anything to say to them. Jesus doesn’t just write off these lukewarm, church playing believers. Even though they trigger within Him a “gag reflex” because they are neither cold nor hot, His first choice isn’t to spit them out of His mouth but to reprove and discipline . . . to correct and teach . . . to call to repentance . . . to re-establish intimate communion around a supper table. Why? Because Jesus loves His own (3:19) . . . and so wants them to overcome and sit with Him on His throne (3:21).

And so, because of His great love, He shouts, “Buy!” He offers that which truly will makes rich . . . treasure fit for heaven. He offers that which is true righteousness . . . garments that cover the shame of sin. He offers that which provides real sight . . . an understanding of the things of God and the ways of the kingdom. But how do I buy? What credit card can I use? What do I need to sell in order to be able to afford to make such amazing purchases?

Ah, actually, it’s kind of like the old Avon days . . . the product is brought to the door . . . and the only “currency” I have to secure the product is my desire and willingness to open the door . . . and let Him in . . . “For You will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Ps. 51:16-17) Open the door . . . that’s how I make the buy. “Come,” He says, “Those who thirst, come to the waters. Even though you have no money, come and buy that which will feed the soul . . . come and buy without money . . . just come.” (Isa. 55:1-2). Come . . . open the door . . . and buy.

And then, over the table of restored fellowship and sweet communion, I acquire, from His grace-filled and giving hands, the riches of heaven . . . the imputed clothing of righteousness . . . and eyes which behold the truths of the Father. How’s that for a good deal?

To God be the glory . . .