Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:9-20

Key Verse: “The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.” Revelation 1:14-15

Decorating for Christmas fills up the home with lots to look at and admire. The wreath on the door, stockings on the fireplace mantel, garland around the banister, and the Christmas tablecloth on the dining room table are all cheerfully and expectantly put into place. In the living room, the tree is perched in a prominent corner. First the lights are wrapped around the branches, then the ornaments are hung and the star tops it all.  Then comes the big moment: plugging in the tree and ohhing and ahhing at its sparkling brilliance! The rest of the decorations pale in comparison to that lit tree as all eyes are drawn to the light.

Jesus is the Light. John told us in his gospel in John 8:12 that Jesus calls himself the Light. I wonder if this was on John’s mind while he was writing this letter to the seven churches while he was in exile on the island of Patmos.  It had been about sixty years since he had seen Jesus, his Savior and Friend, ascend into heaven, when all of the sudden he hears a voice. He turns to see who is speaking to him and sees Jesus who is literally Light: white woolen hair, eyes like fire, glowing bronze feet, face like the shining sun! No wonder John fell at His feet in worship.

The appearance of Christ in radiant light sets the focus of the message of Revelation: Jesus and his glory. And shouldn’t it also be in our daily lives? We will not see Jesus as literal Light until the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:23), but our attention and focus can be drawn to Him now as Light for our everyday life.

Take It Further: What other Bible passages can you find that mention Jesus is Light? What things in your life distract you from the brilliance of God’s glory?

This blog post is the second part of the Revelation Devotional Summer Series. If you missed the first post, you can read it here.