I was driving through Thetford forest last weekend on my way down to Woodbridge- the trees were resplendent in their autumn colours, the suns rays slanting through the foliage gave me a glimpse of glory...
We are surrounded by glimpses of glory if we are awake enough to catch them, for me my daughters smile on Friday as the truth dawned upon her that she had indeed completed her degree and is now officially a graduate was priceless.... her degree came at a cost, she had worked hard, and given up a lot... but it was worth it.... now she is entering the world of work and more study, but Friday was her day of glory...
The trees in autumn have a short lived burst of glory before the whole cycle of seasons begin again... ... the suns rays catching on the sea, a painting, a piece of music, a sunset, a sunrise, all of these things grant us glimpses of glory...
Occasionally we catch Gods heart as we read Scripture or pray through the liturgy... and we catch a glimpse of glory!
Through out Jesus ministry people surrounding him caught glimpses of glory, healing and words of wisdom, acts of compassion and miracles marked him out as someone different. We have accounts in the gospels of at least three people being raised from death to life ... a glimpse of glory indeed... and then of course we have the account of the transfiguration... but all of these things were mere glimpses... glimpses of the one who had left his throne in heaven to come and dwell among us...
But John sees something completely different, he is confronted with the risen Christ, an awesome sight- his fullness revealed.
Listen to that passage again:
Rev 1:12- 17
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were 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. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Imagine Johns reaction - imprisoned on the Island of Patmos- was he filled with doubts and questions... had he been in prayer and worship, was he expecting God to step in and rescue him?
Whatever he had expected it was not to be faced with the risen and glorified Christ in this way for he fell at the feet of this awesome sight as though dead!!! This was more than a glimpse of glory- this was Jesus Christ- his friend- now revealed as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
This was Christ in all his fullness- and yet it was the same Christ John had known; the Christ who had years before left his throne in heaven to come to earth, making himself vulnerable he came nt in the manner of worldly kings, but heralded as the king of heaven his birth announce to outcasts ( shepherds), and foreign astrologers ( wise men/ kings) .
His life was essentially ordinary for many years, as he grew and waited for Gods timing...
And he preached the kingdom, announcing Gods reign ... turning human systems and hierarchy on its head, challenging the system, and revealing through his life and teaching a new way of living...
His is the kingdom where outcasts are welcome
His is the kingdom here sinners are forgiven
His is the kingdom where the political and religious systems are challenged and brought into question.
His is the kingdom where the broken are made whole, the captives set free, and the day of the Lords favour is announced for all...
For he calls the broken and the weary to come:
Matthew 11:28-30
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
His call is to follow; in following we are commanded to serve one another, to care for one another, to count others greater than ourselves....
His call is to obedience and prayer, to seeking blessings not for ourselves but for our community
His rewards are the inner graces of love, joy and peace, patience , kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control- all of released to grow in our lives as we follow....
For as we follow we will find ourselves transformed! Even in ourselves we will catch glimpses of glory!
Yet here is Jesus, risen and glorified, his true being revealed, put yourself in Johns place for a moment, fallen in a dead faint at Jesus feet, and hear his words to you...
Do not be afraid...
This Jesus has overcome the power of sin and death, this Jesus this risen and glorified Lord is calling us to follow him, echoing his words to John... do not be afraid...
He has promised never to leave us
He has promised to equip us with power by through the Holy Spirits presence in our lives...
He is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the one who is, and was and is to come... he is with us in power even now- if only we have eyes to see and ears to hear and the humility to fall to our knees and name him King of Kings and Lord of Lords...
For in Jesus we catch more than a glimpse of glory!
