"Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man." (Revelation 1:12-13)This past Sunday, we had the opportunity to "see" Jesus as He is through the words John recorded in Revelation chapter 1. John was writing from a barren stretch of rock to encourage a group of churches who were suffering under Roman oppression. It wasn't an easy time for any of them... but more than anything else, they needed to see Jesus' glory because the beauty of the church comes from beholding the glory of the Son.
As we looked and saw Jesus with John yesterday, we noticed three things:
- Jesus is glorious! Using Old Testament imagery, John described Jesus' splendor with words that felt inadequate but were attempts at portraying Christ's value in pictured form. Jesus is more valuable and worthy than anything and this was evident from his feet (shining like "burnished bronze" to his hair "white like wool and snow.") Even his face shone brightly as if you'd look straight at the sun in its unfiltered glory! John had seen Jesus' glory when He was transfigured, but most of the time Jesus appeared like an average guy to John. He hid His glory in the tent of a human covering. Familiarity with Jesus kept him from seeing Jesus' true honor, and the same can be true of us. Has familiarity with Jesus kept you from being amazed by His glory? How can this affect the way we approach our devotions or our times of coming to worship God on Sundays?
- Jesus is victorious! In Revelation 1:13, John calls Jesus the "Son of Man"... a title that comes from Daniel 7 where God strips authority from other nations and gives it exclusively to the Son. John shows us Jesus' victory over sin as our victorious High Priest and his authority to speak His Word decisively and with authority... see verses 14, 15, 16. All these things reveal not what Jesus "looks like" but what He "is like". How encouraging this way to John as he was in exile and to the churches as they faced persecution! But why did Jesus only show Himself to John rather than the churches? Because they were to "see" Jesus in John's words... and so are we. So, is this the way you read your Bible? Do you long to wake up and "see" Jesus in His Word? Can you share some ways you've learned to do this well that would encourage others? How can others help you in your struggle to see Jesus?
- Lastly, Jesus is among us! Not only do we see Jesus in His glory and triumph, Jesus is standing "in the midst of the lampstands!" He isn't distant and far-off... He's present with us, like the OT priests- maintaining and trimming and re-supplying the churches with what they need. He sees us with perfect vision (v 14) and supplies all we need. Though we would fall at his feet along with John as though dead (v 17), the good news is that Jesus' words "Fear not" apply to us as much as to John. Jesus is the One who has triumphed over death and hell... He died for us and lives for us. In Him, we have all we need to endure struggles, to fan into flame the gifts He's given, and to be a church that shines for Him like a lamp in the dark and a star in the night. So, in what ways do you need to remember that Jesus is "among us" and stands in our midst as a church? How can we pray for you as you go?
