When you think of Jesus, in what terms do you think about your relationship with Him? If you are like many Christians you think of Him as maybe a confidant or maybe a trusted friend. John Stonestreet has a great picture he uses in a couple different presentations I’ve seen that sums up how many see Jesus. It’s a picture of a very Westernized-looking Jesus–white skin, long hair, neatly trimmed beard, sandals, white robe–you know exactly what I’m talking about!) Anyway, in the picture Jesus is looking down on us and smiling and giving us two “thumbs-up”. Yes, many of us see Jesus as our good buddy that we can call when we are having some problems that we would like Him to fix.

I’m guilty of this myself many times. Today I began reading Revelation. I noticed very early on that the Jesus described in John’s vision was NOT one of a good buddy looking down on us with thumbs up.

The Jesus described in chapter one of Revelation is a Jesus that is HOLY beyond what we can imagine. He is the “Alpha and the Omega who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty,” (verse 8). Yes, I think we forget that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords! How many times do we forget that and talk to Him like we would a co-worker that we are in a meeting with.

What was John’s reaction to seeing Jesus in this vision? “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead,” (verse 17). His vision of Jesus was so brilliant and so powerful that John–who walked with Jesus on earth–fell as though dead when he saw Jesus in all of His glory!

Richard and Henry Blackaby in “Experiencing God Day-by-Day” say it this way: “We grossly underestimate the God we serve! To ignore God’s word or to disobey a direct command from Him is to ignore the magnificent nature of Christ. If you struggle with your obedience to Christ, take a closer look at how He is portrayed in the Book of Revelation,” (p. 94).

What a great reminder that we serve a powerful and Holy Lord! What will you do differently as you reflect on this message? Pause and reflect this week on the holiness of Jesus. You won’t be the same after!

More to come,
Jeremy