Confident victory!
by Georgie Schuster
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I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades! (Revelation 1:18)
This is not the image of ‘gentle Jesus, meek and mild’. Quite the opposite, in fact! The verses preceding this one describe Jesus as truly awesome, mighty, powerful, brilliant and glorious. Definitely not someone to be messed with! John’s human reaction was to ‘fall at his feet as though dead’. (That sounds a bit like fainting.)
But Jesus didn’t leave him there. He touches him and tells him not to be afraid. Then he declares these victorious truths, to John, to us and to everyone. These truths reverberate throughout all time and reach every ear, and I mean every single one! ‘I am the Living One; I was dead … I am alive forever … and I hold the keys of death and Hades.’
When we ‘picture Jesus’, we sometimes dwell on earlier accounts of him. Jesus, wandering around Israel hanging out with people, teaching and healing them, for example. Perhaps even the horrific picture of him on the cross. But he is not confined to that time and space any longer. Right now, he is living victoriously at the right hand of God the Father. And he’s got the keys!
To remember all he went through to redeem us and to know where he now reigns is humbling and awe-inspiring at the same time. But it also gives us tremendous confidence. His triumph is final. We share in the victory he paid for. Don’t be afraid! You are loved.
Dear King Jesus, we are humbled and filled with awe as we come before you. We praise and adore your magnificent name. Thank you for your great mercy and love. You reign forevermore! Amen.
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