Categories: Bible Lessons Leave a comment

January 7th

#DailyDevotion Jesus’ glory is shown chiefly in showing mercy.

January 7th

Read Ezek 1:1–14, 22–28

Eze 1:26-28  And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.  (27)  And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.  (28)  Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.

 

We have in this text the epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ in his pre-incarnate form.  For Jesus is the Lord, he is the Word of God made flesh.  We know it is him for as the Word of God he brings us a message, the Word and Will of God.

 

The Lord we see here in his glory can indeed be frightening.  We have these cherubim with different faces.  There are wheels and flames in the wheels.  There’s the whole whirlwind action going on.  There’s no wonder Ezekiel falls down upon his face.

 

But then in this vision of the Lord there is a glimpse of hope, love, mercy and kindness.  There about the Lord is the appearance of the rainbow.  The rainbow of course is the sign of the Lord’s promise that he would never flood the whole earth again in wrath and anger.  It reminds us of God’s mercy and kindness.  We deserve nothing but punishment and wrath and he preserves the human race, knowing what kind of mess we are going to make things again.

 

This One clothed with the bow in all his glory which sends Ezekiel to his knees, he dispenses with his glory as he becomes one of us.  He empties himself and is born of the Virgin.  He subjects himself to our human weakness and grows in knowledge and stature. He submits himself, who is the Lord of all, to his human parents.  He submits finally to human authorities and is sentenced to death, even death upon a cross.  But there on the cross which humanity finds nothing but shame and degradation, Jesus shows us the glory of his kingdom.  For it is in showing mercy that the Lord, the God of creation, Jesus Christ’s power is chiefly known and how he wants to be known.  There on the cross, Jesus shines in his glory, the glory of his mercy, kindness, love and forgiveness for all humanity.

 

Lord Jesus Christ, whose power and glory is known chiefly in showing mercy, we thank you that you did not come to us in you power and glory but have taken on our human flesh to be like one of us that we may not be terrified of your presence but comforted by your cross.  Grant us such faith in you that on the day on your appearing we may rejoice and not fear like those who rejected you and who do not know you. Amen.

Share this post
Rev. Guillaume J. S. Williams, Sr.

The Reverend Guillaume Williams is the Pastor of Hope Lutheran Chapel of Osage Beach, Missouri. His pastoral ministry with Hope began in 2005 where he preaches the Christ crucified.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *