The Apostle John gave us a stirring summary of the magnificence of Jesus early in the Book of Revelation, describing him as, “the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth” (Rev.1:5).
Then John extolled Jesus with a spontaneous burst of high praise. “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” (Rev.1:6). Let’s join him today.
Lord Jesus, hallelujah times 10,000—the peace we need, the joy for which we have been made, and the hope we crave isn’t found in a something but in a Someone—in you, Jesus.
For you are the “faithful witness”—the point, focus, and hero of the entire Bible (Luke 24:27)—the emphatic “Yes!” to every promise God has made (2Cor.1:20), the final word our Father has spoken to us (Heb.1:1-2).
You are he “firstborn from the dead”—the archetype and end to every sacrifice in Israel’s worship. You are the “righteousness, holiness, redemption” we desperately need (1 Cor.1:30). You are our wonderful, merciful great High Priest—ever-living to care, pray, and advocate for us.
You are the “ruler of the kings of the earth” and of everything else. There isn’t a nanosecond in time, a square inch in the cosmos, a sphere of life, or a sentence in our stories you don’t claim as yours.
Lord Jesus, we love you; we would love you more. We worship you; we long to do so with our whole being. Expel our fears by your truth. Satisfy our longings with your goodness. Dazzle our hearts with your beauty. Fill our calendars with your purposes and will. So Very Amen.
