Revelation 1:9-20

When you picture Jesus, how do you imagine Him? Do you see Him hanging on the cross? That image is disturbing and troubling. I feel pity. Do you see Him as the Christmas baby in a manger? That image is affectionate and beautiful and magical in a way. Do you see Jesus as transfigured? Peter, James and John did.

Do you ever picture Jesus in Heaven? John describes a unique vision of the glorious Jesus in all of his risen majesty! What does He look like? How does John respond?

The challenge of relationship with Jesus is that we love Him even though we haven't seen Him...at least not like the disciples did. So we will use our imagination when we pray or think about Him. Maybe the churches John writes to had gotten so caught up in church life that they stopped imagining Jesus in and among the churches?

Well... Revelation 1 gives us a vibrant picture of a glorious Jesus, very much alive and in the middle of the life of His Body, the Church. We know prayer and God's Word are important for revival, but maybe a fresh vision of Jesus in the middle of things would help restore a sense of awe and holiness to the Church! It sure wouldn't hurt!

VIEW AND SEE!

Steve