As Revelation 1 reminds us, Jesus is the living Lord who actively walks among the lampstands. He is here, present with His churches.
What does our living and present God have to say for us through His message to the church in Ephesus?
“Have we abandoned the love we had at first with Jesus?”
The Christian life can quietly shift from a joyful relationship into an exhausting job. Between academic pressure, career hustle, and even church ministry, it is easy to find ourselves doing all the right things while our relationship with Jesus can grow completely cold. We can maintain good theology, endure hardship, and serve tirelessly, yet subconsciously abandon the vibrant, affectionate relationship we had with Jesus at the beginning.
In Revelation 2:2-7, Jesus confronts the Ephesian church for this exact spiritual drift. He explicitly commends their hard work, perseverance, and doctrinal vigilance, but issues a piercing diagnosis: "you have abandoned the love you had at first". Jesus reminds us that He invites us into a relationship and that the core of this relationship is love. No amount of religious activity or service to God can replace a genuine, burning love for God.
Remember, Repent and Return to Jesus
Jesus offers a clear, three-step U-turn: remember, repent, and do the works you did at first.
As you look ahead into your week, take a moment to pause and reflect on how you can obey Jesus’ teaching:
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Would you identify the specific distraction—whether a new job or a busy schedule that took your attention away from Him?
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What does repentance look like?
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How can you carve out dedicated time this week for a simple, foundational habit that sparked your faith and first built your love for Jesus?
Would you remember, repent and return back to your first love for Jesus today?
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