A Prayer About Toasting Jesus
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 forever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:5-6 Dear Lord Jesus, reading this stunning celebration of who you are, and all the immeasurable treasure with which you have enriched us, has the feel of a toast. I envision a great banquet of the most sumptuous fare, at the end of which we all snap to our feet and hoist our glasses high to your eternal praise… “To him who loves us…“.
Indeed, there is no date on the calendar of my heart more circled, more anticipated and more longed for than the wedding feast of the Lamb-the banquet of all banquets, the festive feast, the mercy meal which will celebrate the consummation of your marriage to us and the inauguration our shared life together in the wonders of the new heaven and new earth. Even so, hasten that Day, oh great and gracious Bridegroom, hasten that Day!
Until then, Lord Jesus, take me… take us, deeper and deeper and deeper into the glory, wonder and praise of this one phrase, To him who loves us…” Though every page of the Scripture either shadows, suggests or shouts it, to my knowledge, Jesus, this is the only verse in the whole Bible that actually says, (present, active, indicative), that you unequivocally, presently and persistently love us. How fitting that this grace-kiss would be found in the opening words to the concluding book of your whole revelation-what a summation, what an affirmation…
Lord Jesus, keep my heart from ever taking your love for granted; humble my heart over the cost of your love-your very blood; rescue my heart when other loves seem more necessary, or even appealing; open my heart to the immeasurable dimensions of your love; focus and free and my heart for living out the radical implications of your love…
To you be the glory and power forever and ever, Lord Jesus! Your Bride awaits your return… so very Amen, I pray, in your name.
