READING: Esther 1-3, Psalm 139, Revelation 1
In this Christmas season, I stand amazed at Jesus today. I’ve read the Book of Revelation many times, but I’m particularly blessed today by the picture of Jesus in the first chapter of this book. I suspect I’ve sometimes so focused on figuring out what this book is about (given all the theories of interpreting it) that I’ve missed the simplicity of looking at the Son. Let the Word itself just speak to us today:
- He is “the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” (1:5)
- He “loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood, and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father.” (1:6)
- He is the One who is “coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.” (1:7)
- He is “the Alpha and the Omega . . . the one who is, who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” (1:8)
- He is “the First and the Last, and the Living One, [the One who is] alive forever and ever, and [who holds] the keys of death and Hades.” (1:17-18)
He is the One in John’s vision with hair white as snow, eyes like fire, feet like bronze, and a voice like roaring waters (1:14-15). He’s majestic, magnificent, marvelous, and merciful. We’re sinful and unworthy, yet He loves us and makes Himself known to us personally. At the start of this day, all I can do is what John did when he saw his vision of Christ: “I fell at his feet like a dead man” (1:17).
Then, in His grace when I lie before Him, He says to me, “Don’t be afraid” (1:17). It really is all amazing!
PRAYER: “Lord Jesus, I stand amazed in Your presence today. Actually, I fall before You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Esther 4-6, Revelation 2
