The Jesus We Need

If I asked you to close your eyes and picture Jesus, how would you describe him? Do you see a religious icon? Jesus dying, naked on a cross, or standing revealing his bleeding heart, head encircled with light? Do you see the Jesus of Hollywood? Jesus in anguish as shown in The Passion or the tenderhearted and kind Jesus from The Chosen? Maybe in your mind Jesus looks like you- someone familiar- or maybe he doesn’t. Perhaps you can’t envision Him at all.

The apostle John lived alongside Jesus for three years. He saw Jesus transfigured, crucified and risen, and was there on the day He ascended into heaven. John knew Jesus. Yet exiled on the island of Patmos, it had been sixty some years since John had last seen his Savior and Friend face to face.

While in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, John hears a loud voice behind him. It’s a voice that sounds like a trumpet, one John describes as cascading waters. When he turns around he sees a sight that causes him to fall down like a dead man.

He sees glory unveiled.

He sees the Son of Man, standing among His churches, dressed in priestly garments. Jesus, who established the Church to be a light to the world, now tends to each local church. Just as the priests in the temple made sure the light of the golden lamp stands never burned out, Jesus ensures His light never ceases to radiate throughout the Church.  

The hair of His head white, like wool or snow and His eyes like a fiery flame. Jesus- God eternal, the Ancient of Days. He is pure in holiness, and the righteous judge who sees all. He is omniscient, and able to discern the thoughts of every heart. His feet like bronze, fired in a furnace. He is the One who reigns and His rule can not be diminished or destroyed. With a double edged sword in His mouth, His Word is living and effective. And His face, shining like the sun at full strength, with all the radiance of God’s glory. Of course, John fell at His feet like a dead man. Of course! Who can see God’s glory and live?

But Jesus laid His right hand on John and said “Don’t be afraid.”

“I am the First and the Last,” he said.

Timeless.

I’m the “Living One. I was dead, but look- I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys to death and Hades”.

Oh death, now where is your sting?!

This is Jesus- the Cornerstone. In Him and through Him all things hold together. He holds us together- His Church. He is the One who sustains us and gives each of us life and breath. In Him we live and move and have our being.

This Jesus of Revelation. He’s the One we need.

This is Jesus. Let’s behold Him.

And as we behold Him, may we become like Him- full of grace and truth, and filled with His Spirit, showing forth love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control, until we see Him face to face.

-Natalie