Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Christ is the Lord and God for us
Revelations 1:1-8
Vs 5, 6 “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.”
As we continue to navigate life in these historic times under COVID-19, one may wonder if we’re in the midst of the Christian Apocalypse. After all, we’ve seen the disparity of suffering on various socio-economic levels, massive disruptions & inequalities in our economy infrastructure, education & health systems. Our families and friends have experienced illness and death at catastrophic levels, businesses & systems are increasingly stressed, and this pandemic continues to thrust the world to coin a new normal. Could what feels like an indefinite season of world-wide suffering point to a larger narrative, unveiling a biblical apocalyptic prophecy?
Whenever I’ve asked my Sunday school students what they’d like to study after we’ve completed the curriculum for the year, many of them eagerly request if we can go through the book of Revelation – and understandably so. (Granted, many of them are solely curious about the epic showdown between Jesus and the Antichrist, the horsemen and of course, the dragon). Perhaps many of us (I know I have) have rummaged through the pages of this book, attempting to ascertain what it could all mean and what to expect in the last days.
The book of Revelation is filled with images and symbols that are intriguing but also complex and difficult to decipher. And although this book draws together themes woven all throughout Scripture and shows glimpses of the end days, I would argue that the book is less about what the future holds and more about who holds your future.
Our scripture portion for today takes us to the first chapter of Revelation, where we see John, who by tradition holds authorship to this letter, greeting his readers and introducing us into the vision he received. Before John shares his visions to the seven churches in Asia-Minor, he reminds us of the beauty, power and supremacy of Jesus Christ:
“and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (V. 5 & 6)
What a beautiful and glorious reminder! The son of God, creator of the World, who sits enthroned in Heaven, loves us, freed us. We are reminded in these verses of the sovereignty and supremacy of Christ. Abraham Kuyper famously stated: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” We are reminded, friends, that even in the midst of this pandemic, we serve a God who is not surprised by the chaos around us. Jesus is king on heaven and on earth, and we can hold fast to the truth in knowing that He works all things for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). He is a God who is worthy to be trusted; a King who stepped down into earth, who endured incredible suffering, in order to reunite creation with the Creator.
We are in an unprecedented season of life, where we may not understand the chaos around us. But the first few verses in the chapter remind us that Jesus, our victor and our all powerful and glorious King, is the One who holds our future. The world, and all that is in it, is in the hands of our mighty God – and His hands are good, good hands.
Whenever I’ve asked my Sunday school students what they’d like to study after we’ve completed the curriculum for the year, many of them eagerly request if we can go through the book of Revelation – and understandably so. (Granted, many of them are solely curious about the epic showdown between Jesus and the Antichrist, the horsemen and of course, the dragon). Perhaps many of us (I know I have) have rummaged through the pages of this book, attempting to ascertain what it could all mean and what to expect in the last days.
The book of Revelation is filled with images and symbols that are intriguing but also complex and difficult to decipher. And although this book draws together themes woven all throughout Scripture and shows glimpses of the end days, I would argue that the book is less about what the future holds and more about who holds your future.
Our scripture portion for today takes us to the first chapter of Revelation, where we see John, who by tradition holds authorship to this letter, greeting his readers and introducing us into the vision he received. Before John shares his visions to the seven churches in Asia-Minor, he reminds us of the beauty, power and supremacy of Jesus Christ:
“and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father – to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (V. 5 & 6)
What a beautiful and glorious reminder! The son of God, creator of the World, who sits enthroned in Heaven, loves us, freed us. We are reminded in these verses of the sovereignty and supremacy of Christ. Abraham Kuyper famously stated: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!” We are reminded, friends, that even in the midst of this pandemic, we serve a God who is not surprised by the chaos around us. Jesus is king on heaven and on earth, and we can hold fast to the truth in knowing that He works all things for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). He is a God who is worthy to be trusted; a King who stepped down into earth, who endured incredible suffering, in order to reunite creation with the Creator.
We are in an unprecedented season of life, where we may not understand the chaos around us. But the first few verses in the chapter remind us that Jesus, our victor and our all powerful and glorious King, is the One who holds our future. The world, and all that is in it, is in the hands of our mighty God – and His hands are good, good hands.
PRAYER
Lord, we submit our questions, our confusion, and our future at your feet. We ask for faith to trust you in deeper ways. Would our circumstances not dictate our faith but would we be reminded that through and in all, you are a good Father who works all things for our good and your glory.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”
-Charles Spurgeon
Shannon Thomas, Long Island MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
-Charles Spurgeon
Shannon Thomas, Long Island MTC, NY
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church