Day 02 - Sardis, Philadelphia, Colossae

We started our travels today in Sardis. There were so many things to take in, a massive gymnasium, and next to it, the largest Jewish synagogue in Turkey. 

Sardis also boasts an unfinished temple to Artemis and a 4th century Christian church. 

Revelation 3:3 NLT

“Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.”

In the letter to Sardis, the church there was being challenged to wake up and turn back to the Lord. It seems a fitting message for us today as well. We, like those from Sardis, have so many things that call for our attention. Sardis was a very rich city.  Money and the desire for “more” can call. The large gymnasium reminds us that our society can call asking us to “look a certain way” and achieve a certain weight. Yet our call is to only follow Christ, turn fully to Him, and repent from where we have strayed. “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.”  Revelation 3:4 NLT 

May we too be found faithful!

Philadelphia 

We visited the ruins of the basilica of St John.  “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”

Revelation 3:8 NIV

We talked about how we have little strength and need to fully depend on Jesus rather than our gifts, abilities, intelligence and what we think is best. Lord, help us keep your Word!

Colossae 

We also visited the acropolis of Colossae which is not excavated. It’s a surreal feeling to know that so many amazing archaeological finds are buried below your feet. We listened to the letter written to the Colossians and took time to meditate on God’s message to this community. “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”  Colossians 2:6-7 NIV

May we continue to grow in the grace of Jesus Christ!