"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood."
Revelation 1:5
If you could have Jesus write you a personal note to spur you on your journey to heaven what would it say?
I think I would want mine to tell me that Jesus loves me. What better way to encourage me on the winding road of the Christian life than to hear my best friend and personal Saviour remind me that he loves me. That he’s waiting for me.
And then I would want it to remind me how he has shown his love for me, because that would give me confidence that his love is steadfast and sure. That I won’t get to the end of the journey and find that he’s changed his mind. So, I would want it to remind me how he died for me.
I would want it to tell of how my sins weren’t too big for him to overcome. But that the size of them is the measure of his love for me, because to overcome them it took his own precious blood to free me from them.
In reading that, I would be reminded that the offences that stood in the way of a relationship with him have all been dealt with. I would take confidence from that, that when I arrive at the finish line he will still be loving me.
And then, I would want Jesus to tell me that my place was concrete, not vague. I would want him to tell me that he didn’t love me and show it with his blood, and that he will receive me at the finish line, only for it all to then fizzle out into nothingness. I would want him to tell me of some place that he has made mine.
And not just a place but a purpose too. ‘Where will I be and what will I be when I get to meet you face to face Jesus?’
And, not just where and what, but how long for? Will it be a good place, and will it be a good purpose, and will it last for a long time, or only a short time?
Because I feel that if I knew that his love was so great that he would secure a great place and a great purpose and for a great period of time, then I would have more than confidence, I would have hope. Hope to endure in this race that I'm in.
So, I am pleased to say that Revelation 1:5-6 is my note from Jesus. A real note, that covers everything I just said. And if you were tracking, thinking you would like a note like that from Jesus too, then this is your note too.
‘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’.
Jesus has loved us and he demonstrates his love for us in this, that while were still sinners he died for us. And by his blood he has made us to be a kingdom – a collective dwelling place. And he has made us to be priests – a collective service to God, in the presence of God.
And he has made that place and that purpose – that kingdom and that priesthood - an everlasting place and an everlasting purpose. That is how powerful his blood is and how extensive his love is.
All the glory and power belong to Jesus, and all the love and joy belongs to us, forever and ever. Amen.
Comments