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 forever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:5-6
Dear Jesus, John’s words have the ring of an heart-stirring toast to them. It’s as though we’ve just finished a great banquet and have risen to our feet with glasses hoisted to honor you. “To him who loves us…”
That image really isn’t much of a stretch, for there’s no date on the calendar of our hearts more longed for than the wedding feast of the Lamb—the banquet of all banquets, the mercy meal by which we will celebrate the apex of your work for us, your marriage to us—a most unlikely yet beloved Bride. Even so, hasten that day, O great Bridegroom, hasten that day.
Until then, Jesus, help us more fully grasp the implications of this one enormous little phrase—“To him who loves us.” Though every page of the Scripture either shadows, suggests or shouts it, here it stands in bold print.
How fitting that this grace-kiss would be the opening words to the concluding book of your entire revelation; what a glorious summation of your work on our behalf; what an magnificent affirmation of the central theme in the history of redemption. Thus we sing with hearts intoxicated with this unparalleled good news, “Jesus, loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Jesus, thank you for freeing us from our sins. Every one of our sins—past, present and future, in thought, word and deed, all of them have been forgiven through your death for us on the cross. We are perfectly righteous in you. We have “no guilt in life, no fear in death.” Astonishing.
Jesus, thank you for rescuing us from the kingdom of darkness and making us citizens and servants in your kingdom of redemption and restoration. Our lives now have meaning. Thank you for making us a priesthood of believers—a people with unhindered access into God’s glorious presence, and a calling to live as conduits of his endless mercy and transforming grace. Staggering.
Indeed, to you, Lord Jesus, be glory and power forever and ever, including today. Your groaning Bride awaits your glorious return. So very Amen, we pray, in your loving and faithful name.