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The first church He visits was in Ephesus.  Ephesus was the capital city of Asia Minor.  It was about the size of Calgary or Edmonton.  It was a commercial centre, a city of idolatry and notoriously immoral. The church, in the city, was founded by the apostle Paul.  He spent three years there and from there churches were planted all over Asia.  Many outstanding miracles occurred and a great church was established. 

Now Jesus comes to visit this church about 40 years after it began.  Many of the congregation would be second generation believers.  Most of the original people would be gone. 

Jesus found many things that pleased Him.  This was a hard working church.  Jesus said, “I know your works and labor” (v. 2:6).  They were participants, not spectators.  They were disciples, not volunteers.  They sacrificed their time and their means to reach their world with the gospels and Jesus was pleased. And they were willing to suffer.  It cost a great deal to be a Christian in those days.  Persecution was rampant. 

They also possessed spiritual discernment.  They could tell the genuine from the counterfeit.  When fake teachers came, they identified and rejected them.  Purity of doctrine and lifestyle was most important and Jesus commended them. But in the midst of all that was good, Jesus saw a fatal flaw.  No doubt they were totally unaware of their precarious situation.  But to Jesus, it was so critical that unless the situation was remedied the end of the church was in sight. 

What was the fatal flaw?  Could it be ours as well? 

Here is what He said, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love” (v. 2:4).  The word “left” means to forsake, abandon or neglect. This was probably an unconscious process.  With their deep commitment to the task they had drifted from their personal intimacy with Jesus.  They had become like Martha where once they had been like Mary. 

This happens so easily.  It can happen in a marriage and a family.  We can get so busy with our work that we have no time or energy left for the people we love.  And it often happens in the church.  The projects take precedence over the person of Jesus.  We don’t consciously decide to do that – it just happens. 

The good news is that this can be remedied.  Jesus not only did a diagnosis but provided a cure. 

First, He said they should remember.  “Remember therefore from where you have fallen” (v. 2:5).  He urges them to reflect on the early days of their relationship.  He called it first love.  It is the equivalent of the first love of a bride and bridegroom. 

Second, He urged them to repent.  This is a serious situation and they must make a radical shift and return to their first love. 

If they failed to respond, the judgement loomed on the horizon.  History reveals that they failed to respond and their light eventually went out.  

Once again He is coming to us. Let us open our hearts to hear His voice.  The prayer of the Psalmist would be most appropriate as he prayed, “Search me O God, and know my heart … and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

(This article was published in a Calgary newsletter for senior citizens.)