Katy Perry has been quoted as saying “I don’t believe in a heaven or a hell or an old man sitting on a throne. I believe in a higher power bigger than me because that keeps me accountable,”
It is interesting how she thinks of Jesus. Like many of us that grew up in church, she probably saw all of the paintings of Jesus and the artist renderings of the kind man with long hair. The man who looked so gentle, kind of like a Biblical Mr. Rogers. The man that sometimes had a dove on his shoulder, or in his hand. The man that is holding a little lamb in some artist renderings. Our buddy, our friend. We shrink Jesus with these images of him. We belittle his Awesome might.
Yes he is a loving, caring God. He does have those attributes, however he is the most Awesome and Powerful King. He is the most high Priest. His power is awesome, and it is limitless. The Apostle John (A Disciple,1 of the original 12) who was called "the Disciple Jesus loved" was a true friend to the Earthly Jesus. John traveled with Jesus, John ate with Jesus, and they were friends. Think about your best friend. You probably get excited to see them. You probably have inside jokes. You definitely do not fear them, or should not fear them if it is a healthy relationship. John had that with Jesus. Later in John's life he was exiled to Patmos for teaching the Word of Christ, for being a Christ follower. Jesus revealed the future to John on Patmos. John wrote this revealing down in what was to become the book of Revelation. When Jesus revealed himself, in his glory to John, John tells us that he fell at his feet like a dead man. So awesome and powerful was this image. That John was terrified in his presence. John had known this man when he walked the Earth. John had walked beside and behind Jesus when Jesus walked in humility as a man, and hid his glory to accomplish his Father's work. Yet, in his glorified presence he was terrified almost to the point of death. He fell at His feet as though he were a dead man. Jesus is the most high King and he is the Judge of God. His judgement is perfect just as he is perfect. My pastor made a good point that sometimes our image of Jesus is smaller than it should be. The larger we make our image of Jesus, the more we realize who he is and what he has done for us, the smaller our problems become. Big GOD, small problems. Small God, BIG problems. Our problems are temporary and fleeting. Jesus does not want us to be afraid. We can handle anything, because Christ strengthens us.
(Revelation 1:12-18 - NASB)
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; 13 and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like [a]a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. 14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun [b]shining in its strength.
17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I [c]was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.
Stay strong in your faith, and recognize Jesus Christ for who he is.
Thanks for reading!
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