Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Description of Jesus

Rev. 1:12-16 (ESV)
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. [14] The hairs of his head were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, [15] his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. [16] In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

John describes the man he sees, the man he sees is Jesus Christ, Lord of all the Living. The description, which may be a literal description of Jesus, has much more to say about Jesus than that he had bronze feet. The picture is astonishing and the detail of it is further preaching about Jesus Christ and who he is.
He is in the midst of seven Golden lampstands, these lampstands reperesent the seven churches john is to write to, Jesus in the midst of them is communicating the reality that he is with his church and churches, local congregations, constantly. He is here in our midst tending to our flame. Here he is as our priest, dressed like a priest of the Old Testament, he is interceding for us just as he has sacrificed himself for us, the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the golden sash shows the wealth of a king, and he is King of Kings, beyond all earthly authority. His hair is white like wool and snow, not only is he to be respected for his wisdom but also for his purity. White as wool indicates the wisdom of Christ, wisdom that comes with years, white like snow shows purity of character and being. His feet of burnished bronze, strength and weight, not easily bowled over, able to overcome. These are the feet of one who is victorious over his enemies, sin death and the power of the devil. His voice like the roar of many waters commands attention, commands respect, does not go unheard. The seven stars in his right hand indicate the mercy and forgiveness through which he holds the angels of the church, here messengers. His tongue a two edged sword, from his mouth is the word of God sharper than any two edged sword, able to slice not only the body, but pierce the soul one side law, the other gospel cutting out the cancer of sin. And his face shining like the sun, the sun the source of life on earth, we can’t bare to look at it directly, but life without it is gloomy. Jesus is the source of life, not only life but a happy life, and eternal life that he gives to us.

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