Tuesday, December 8, 2015

intimacy and awe

I think that most of the times that I read this passage, I am impressed with the awesomeness of Christ.  

Rev 1:12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

But today, I was impressed with the intimacy with which He communes with the churches. Later in the chapter, Jesus explains that "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."  The Greek word for "angels" could be translated as "messengers", which may figuratively represent the pastor of the church.  I was impressed with the intimacy of this scene - Jesus is standing among the churches, and He is holding the messengers in His hand.  He is abiding with the churches because He loves the churches.  

I also think it is significant that His feet are bronze, like the bronze serpent that was lifted up on a pole.  The Son of God who commands the armies of angels took on human flesh - He became human - to absolve us from the wrath of God.  

Rev 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

And now we have nothing to fear.  We trust the Living One.  Our life is consumed in His life.  His life is cascading through our lives.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the intimate love that you have shown us through Christ.  Lord Jesus, thank you for the intimate care that you show your body, the Church.  Holy Spirit, fill me with the Living One.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

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